Why Greek wines attract the attention of wine connoisseurs in all the world? Is it really worth getting to know them who come from countries like France and Italy?
02.11.2016
фото: Leonidas Vassilopoulos
Panellini Association recently called the best Greek sommelier sommelier of 2016 Aris Sklavenitis – in his 28 years he became the youngest winner of the title “Best Sommelier” in history rewards.
FOUR QUESTIONS:
1) I would like to buy a bottle of wine and drink it with my beloved man – on the Acropolis, with a panoramic view of Athens.
2) My favorite winery to visit in Attica is the Most organized, in my opinion, is the Papagiannakos winery, who received awards and for his architecture. Including estate Milonas, this is a new winery that is under development. There are a few outside Athens, and interestingly, just 20 minutes from the airport. So there is a good opportunity go for a tasting if you have some free hours before the flight.
3) My wine list certainly includes the following— aged white wines.
4) I would like to go to a wine tasting — in the south of France, in Ron region, Burgundy and other places.
Aris believes that some homemade grapes, farmed Greece is a worthy competitor to its international partners, they could help improve the status of Greek wines on world level. Before your departure to Argentina for tasting in Malbec Aris spoke about trends, strengths and combinations Greek wines with food.
– Why do you need to try Greek wines?
Greek wine is becoming more common. In the wine guides in previous years after France, Spain, Italy and other traditional wine-making countries existed a section “other”, which included Greece. Now we have our own part in guides; she may not have many pages but she exists. Greek wine has a high level of production and Offers excellent value for money. Assyrtiko and Xinomavro, in particular, are not inferior to foreign and can become the very machine that will take out Greek wines beyond borders of the country.
– How to start?
Malagouzia, Vidiano or Moschofilero – very romantic wines. Also try the wines from Santorini, surely more mineral. Rose, grape agiorgiko, too perfect to start exploring wine. Of red i would suggest xinomavro – spicy taste with intense tannins. After it you could taste red Agiorgitiko, Mavrotragano from Santorini or Mavrodafni from Kefalonia or Peloponnese. Finally if you are not indifferent to sweet wines, it is worth trying brands Limnos or Vinsanto from Santorini.
– What do the Greek prefer now? winemakers?
For many years this was Malagouzia. Everyone has it the winery now has a Malagouzia. Another fresh development – the appearance of rosé wines – rosés. Wineries produce wines bright shades of red, which are similar to wines from Provence. They easy to drink and, of course, more economical – another reason to buy their.
Need to try:
Assyrtiko – from white wines. Moschofilero – from pink. Xinomavro- from red.
– In Athens, now quite a few wine bars. How are you think this is just a passing fad?
Not. Spending time over a glass of good wine – such lacked Greece. For years, connoisseurs really there were no places to go to drink wine, they enjoyed it at home. AND when they decided to do it outside the house – they had to pay 50-60 euros on average for a bottle of wine in a restaurant. Now the wine Bars make it possible to enjoy your favorite drink daily – expensive or inexpensive, depending on personal choice. Some of these bars are more like restaurants, others serve “finger food” – small snacks in one-bite portions that you can eat hands, while in others you can sit all day. It was necessity, not a trend, which is why I think they will stay.
“Is rezina coming back?”
When people hear the word “recina”, most of them represent the Greek tavern with wines of poor quality in barrels and pre-cooked meals. But if you try bottled recine a good winery, you will definitely change your opinion. Instead of ouzo (this is an anise extract brandy produced and distributed throughout Greece – approx. auth.) can be submitted Greek meze * with good bottled retsina and it will be perfect combination. If you see retsina such wineries, like Papagiannakos, Milonas, Markou, Tetramythos, Kechris, Gaia – buy, you will not be disappointed!
– What wine fascinated you?
The fact that it is alive, it looks like a man. Wine is different from all other alcohol-based drinks because he has life line: it is born, reaches its peak and then dies. I am intrigued by the fact that if I open the same bottle now, in two months, in a year and in 10 years – I will drink different the drinks.
* ___________ In the Eastern Mediterranean, the meze is called the set snacks or small dishes served with arak, ouzo, raki or various wines. Greek meze is a plate of feta cheese, seasoned with olive oil, and sprinkled with oregano, served with olives and bread.
___________
BEST TASTE COMBINATIONS:
GREEK SALAD Greek salad contains raw bow. And I suppose that if you are in, say, a tavern, you order another meze, in this case you could order a recin, which is strong enough to help mask the urgency Luke.
MUSAKA This is a rather rustic dish and quite satisfying – consists of bechamel sauce, potatoes, eggplants, minced meat and spices cooked in the oven. Because there is an aromatic profile, I would choose aged wine – dry Mavrodafni or Cabernet.
LAMB WITH OREGAN (DUSHCEY) Here we have Oregano Fat Dish with Herbs For this reason, I would find a wine that has acidity and tannins. Fat in the dish a bit soften wine tannins and the acidity of the wine will help break down fat. So Xinomavro would be a great combination for this dish.
By Maria Korachai (greece-is.com)
