Tuesday, June 9, 2026 rosé wine review is the latest vintage of a terrific, dry, and vegan-friendly rosé from Greece that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend in the LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.
It is produced by the well-respected Kir-Yianni, a family-run winery that was established by the late Yiannis Boutaris in 1997. Yiannis was from the renowned Boutaris winemaking family and one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry right up until his passing in 2024.
Kir-Yianni was founded in Amyndeon of northern Greece and expanded soon thereafter into neighbouring Naoussa to the south, within the geographic region of Macedonia. In 1999, Stellios Boutaris, son of Yiannis, became Managing Director of Kir-Yianni, and represented the fifth generation of the Boutaris family of winemakers. Stellios was joined by his brother, Mihalis, a few years later and, together, the brothers undertook a project to take Kir-Yianni to the next level of viticulture and winemaking. They began by replanting their 28 hectares of vineyards with both Greek and international varieties, but most importantly, ensuring that each varietal was planted on the most appropriate vineyard parcel.
Today, the philosophy at Kir-Yianni is based upon ensuring a fine balance between the family's hundred-year-long tradition and the use of new and innovative winemaking techniques. By taking proper care in the vineyard, including the use of sustainable practices, strict grape selection, micro-vinifing, and blending meticulously, the team at Kir-Yianni aims to ensure typicity, ageing potential, and consistent wine quality from one vintage to the next. The end goal is to produce appealing wines that reflect the potential of the Greek vineyard and its indigenous varieties, while also protecting the environment by using integrated farming principles. One of their most ambitious initiatives is to achieve carbon neutrality, a lengthy process in which they have already achieved their first two major goals within 18 months in 2024.
While last year's 2024 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé was labelled as "Vieilles Vignes" (or Old Vines), this vintage bears the name "Terres de Sable" (or Sandy Lands). It is still crafted with 100% Xinomavro that was sourced from the PGI Macedonia viticultural zone of northern Greece. The grapes were carefully selected from 40 to 60-year-old vines, from vineyards chosen for their soil, vine health, and capacity to reach full maturity. In the wider region of Macedonia, the climate experiences significant diurnal temperatures between day and night, and the variety in morphology creates excellent conditions for viticulture.
To craft this dry rosé, the grapes were rigorously sorted on a conveyor belt and direct pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 17–19°C. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months, with occasional bâtonnage (mild stirring).
The 2025 growing season in northern Greece was a very good-to-standout vintage, something that appears to happen in every odd-numbered vintage. While the last two harvests were marked by major challenges due to extreme weather events, 2025 was a return to relative normality, with generally typical conditions and no extreme weather phenomena. June and July were hot and dry. However, the diurnal temperature drop of 10°C at night helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions at the appropriate time, along with daytime heat and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. Let's see how this 2025 Xinomavro Rosé from northern Greece is tasting tonight...
Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap and pours a very pale copper-salmon colour. Lovely, fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is intense and complex with spice, red berry, grapefruit, citrus, white peach, and mineral aromas accented with strawberry, raspberry, and dried herbs. The mid-weighted palate is dry and slightly honeyed with delicious grapefruit, citrus, red berry, white peach, and dried spice flavours. It is well-structured with fresh and zesty acidity. Well-balanced throughout with grapefruit, red berry, spice, and white peach notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
Many wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.
It is produced by the well-respected Kir-Yianni, a family-run winery that was established by the late Yiannis Boutaris in 1997. Yiannis was from the renowned Boutaris winemaking family and one of the leading figures in the Greek wine industry right up until his passing in 2024.
Kir-Yianni was founded in Amyndeon of northern Greece and expanded soon thereafter into neighbouring Naoussa to the south, within the geographic region of Macedonia. In 1999, Stellios Boutaris, son of Yiannis, became Managing Director of Kir-Yianni, and represented the fifth generation of the Boutaris family of winemakers. Stellios was joined by his brother, Mihalis, a few years later and, together, the brothers undertook a project to take Kir-Yianni to the next level of viticulture and winemaking. They began by replanting their 28 hectares of vineyards with both Greek and international varieties, but most importantly, ensuring that each varietal was planted on the most appropriate vineyard parcel.
Today, the philosophy at Kir-Yianni is based upon ensuring a fine balance between the family's hundred-year-long tradition and the use of new and innovative winemaking techniques. By taking proper care in the vineyard, including the use of sustainable practices, strict grape selection, micro-vinifing, and blending meticulously, the team at Kir-Yianni aims to ensure typicity, ageing potential, and consistent wine quality from one vintage to the next. The end goal is to produce appealing wines that reflect the potential of the Greek vineyard and its indigenous varieties, while also protecting the environment by using integrated farming principles. One of their most ambitious initiatives is to achieve carbon neutrality, a lengthy process in which they have already achieved their first two major goals within 18 months in 2024.
While last year's 2024 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé was labelled as "Vieilles Vignes" (or Old Vines), this vintage bears the name "Terres de Sable" (or Sandy Lands). It is still crafted with 100% Xinomavro that was sourced from the PGI Macedonia viticultural zone of northern Greece. The grapes were carefully selected from 40 to 60-year-old vines, from vineyards chosen for their soil, vine health, and capacity to reach full maturity. In the wider region of Macedonia, the climate experiences significant diurnal temperatures between day and night, and the variety in morphology creates excellent conditions for viticulture.
To craft this dry rosé, the grapes were rigorously sorted on a conveyor belt and direct pressed. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks at temperatures between 17–19°C. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months, with occasional bâtonnage (mild stirring).
The 2025 growing season in northern Greece was a very good-to-standout vintage, something that appears to happen in every odd-numbered vintage. While the last two harvests were marked by major challenges due to extreme weather events, 2025 was a return to relative normality, with generally typical conditions and no extreme weather phenomena. June and July were hot and dry. However, the diurnal temperature drop of 10°C at night helped preserve acidity. Cold and rainy conditions at the appropriate time, along with daytime heat and cold nights ensured that the grapes developed full aromatics and phenolic ripeness. Let's see how this 2025 Xinomavro Rosé from northern Greece is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
KIR-YIANNI XINOMAVRO ROSÉ 2025 - Vegan, PGI Macedonia, Greece (#39595) (XD) - $19.95Enclosed by Stelvin screw cap and pours a very pale copper-salmon colour. Lovely, fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose is intense and complex with spice, red berry, grapefruit, citrus, white peach, and mineral aromas accented with strawberry, raspberry, and dried herbs. The mid-weighted palate is dry and slightly honeyed with delicious grapefruit, citrus, red berry, white peach, and dried spice flavours. It is well-structured with fresh and zesty acidity. Well-balanced throughout with grapefruit, red berry, spice, and white peach notes tapering to leesy minerals on the long, crisp finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
Many wines by Kir-Yianni are available at the LCBO, and can also be ordered through their Agent - KOLONAKI Group of Companies.
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