Dionysos Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's post features a trio of lovely wines from Greece. All three wines are new arrivals as Destination Collection products at the LCBO and can be purchased online or by visiting the LCBO Destination Collection stores on Danforth (Toronto) or Erin Mills Parkway (Mississauga).

All three of these wines are produced by Dionysos Winery S.A., a wine producer that was founded in 1936 in Athens by Asimakis Koutsouros and Stelios Gikas. Greece is known for its rich heritage and high-quality wines, which reflect the country's deep-rooted viticultural traditions.

Named after the ancient Greek god of wine, Dionysus, the two families that established Dionysos Winery had a passion for Greece's native grape varieties and a vision to create world-class wines. Today, the business is still owned by the Koutsouros and Gikas families, and because creating quality wines is what counts the most, the families have invested heavily in their modest winery to move forward and create quality wines.

Dionysos Winery is located about 30 minutes southwest of Athens in Lechio, within the Corinthos wine district - the most important quality vine growing region in the Peloponnese. In this location, the Mediterranean climate from the south meets the continental winds from the north to create superb winegrowing conditions that result in fruit forward, lively, temperamental, and complex wines.

Tasting Notes:

DIONYSOS LA CULTURE EN ROSE CUVÉE LIMITÉE 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#35720) (XD) - $21.95
A blend of 95% Mavrofilero and 5% Grenache Noir that was grown in the Mountainous Mantinia region of Peloponnese. The oxidative, sherry-like, medium-high intensity nose has prominent florals with lemon blossom and rose aromas joined by macerated citrus and fig adding complexity. There is a sense of sweetness on the dry, medium-full bodied palate with blood orange, floral, citrus, and grapefruit flavours in a slightly oxidative style. It has very good, juicy, and slightly tangy acidity, along with a nicely textured, and well-structured mouthfeel. Florals and citrus notes linger on the long, juicy, and dry finish. Score: 90+ pts

DIONYSOS MANTINIA MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PDO Mantinia, Greece (#547232) (XD) - $21.95
Fragrant, medium-high intensity nose delivers yellow and white citrus and floral aromas nuanced with leesy mineral, bergamot, and wild herbs. On the dry, ripe, light-to-medium bodied palate it has a very slightly honeyed profile of lemon citrus, floral, spice, and wild herb flavours with touches of leesy mineral notes. It has fresh, crisp, and juicy acidity, along with a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel. The spice notes give way to leesy minerals on the impressively long, dry finish. Score: 90+ pts

DIONYSOS OENOMELO SWEET WHITE WINE - Peloponnese, Greece (#35722) (S) - $25.95
This blend of 60% Muscat, 20% Moschofilero, and 20% Roditis has a medium+ to medium-high intensity nose that offers sweet aromas of candied lemon and ginger, honey, yellow floral, honeysuckle, and roses. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied and deliciously sweet on the palate with lovely candied lemon, honey, candied ginger spice, and floral notes on the flavour profile. It has fresh, well-balanced acidity, while candied lemon and honey notes taper to floral on the finish, with very good length. Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Dionysos Winery can be ordered through their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.

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Samos Vin Doux White Muscat (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delectably sweet fortified wine from the Island of Samos in Greece that made its inaugural arrival at the LCBO in last weekend's March 2 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos (UWC Samos), one of the oldest cooperative wineries in Greece as it was founded in 1934. UWC Samos is also one of Greece's biggest wineries, composed of more than 2,200 producers participating in the Cooperative as members.

The Cooperative was formed after actions taken by the vine growers of the island in 1934, and has proved that the alliance was a strategically important move that helped the preservation of viticulture on the island, as well as the protection of the producers' income. As a cooperative, the principal objective of UWC Samos is to advance the economic and social conditions of its member vine growers and, in general, the Samian society. UWC Samos receives the grapes, produces the wine, and trades almost the entire production of the island through their modern wineries in Malagari (the capital of the island) and Karlovassi (the second-biggest town). In a harmonious combination with traditional viticulture and winemaking, UWC Samos is in constant search for modernization while investing in technology and know-how. The wines of Samos have received hundreds of distinctions at international competitions and fairs over the years, with the very first award received in 1937.

While Somas Muscat wines of Protected Designation of Origin Samos (or PDO Samos) are one of the oldest origin-controlled appellations in Europe, the history of viticulture on the island goes back much further. When one thinks of Samos vineyards, the word's mythology, history, and the name of "Ampelos" (Vine) for one of the two mountain ranges that dominate the island come to mind. The history of Samos wine dates back to early antiquity, while legend says that Dionysus (the god of wine) taught the Samians all about winegrowing and winemaking in order to thank them for their help in defeating the Amazons. According to tradition, the first person to teach winegrowing to the inhabitants of the island was the hero of the Argonauts, Agkaios. There are also historical references in antiquity that reference the wines of Samos in the writings of Hippocrates, Galenos, and Theophrastos, while "Samena" military ships transported wine in amphorae with a pointed base from Samos to various ports in other parts of the globe. References to Samos wine are also found during the Byzantine period, when a traveller clergyman visited the island in 741 AD.

A turbulent history on the island culminated in the almost complete desolation of the land during the 15th century, which resulted in the abandonment of the vineyards as natives lived in hiding in inaccessible mountain areas. Fortunately, Samos was recolonized a century later with people arriving from all parts of Greece, and the history of Muscat wines on the Island of Samos begins again. During the Ottoman occupation and after 1562, European forces appear to be commercially interested in the wines of Samos and setup Consulates on the island for this purpose. Samos' wines were noted by French and German travellers during the 18th century, and in the 19th century, Samos was supplying branded wines to the east and west, while the Catholic Church granted Samos the privilege of producing wine certified by the Catholic Mission.

In 2016, UWC Samos formed a strategic alliance with Greek Wine Cellars to further the commercial development of the award-winning Samos wines, with the aim of strengthening its position in domestic and international markets.

As a fortified wine, the Samos Vin Doux falls under the Vins de Liqueurs category. Not only is it the most popular wine of Samos, this wine is also the No. 1 selling sweet wine in Greece. It is crafted using the indigenous White Muscat of Samos, the grape that reigns king on the island. It was grown on semi-mountainous and mountainous terraces that are influenced by the sun and the Aegean winds. Let's see how this Vin de Liqueur from Samos is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SAMOS VIN DOUX WHITE MUSCAT - PDO Samos, Greece (#44578) (S) - $15.95
Attractive, medium-high intensity nose of dried apricot, orange marmalade, peach, and honey aromas with a touch of golden raisin. It's mid-weighted on the palate with a sweet and spicy flavour profile of dried apricot, peach, orange zest, honey, and raisin replays, plus butterscotch and caramel flavours adding further complexity. It has well-balanced acidity, along with some warmth on the mid-palate, while notes of dried apricot, orange zest, caramel, and touches of vanilla linger on the long, delicious finish. Really sings after a nice chill. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Small quantities of other fine wines by UWC Samos are available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Montpellier Viognier 2020 (California) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a tasty Viognier blend from California that is a new arrival to the LCBO that was released as part of the August 21st LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The Montpellier Vineyards brand of wines are produced by Bronco Wine Company, a family-owned company whose winemaking traditions go back to 1893. Since childhood, brothers Fred T. and Joseph S. Franzia, alongside their first cousin, John G. Franzia, have been learning every aspect of the wine business from their fathers. On Christmas Day in 1973, the three members of the Franzia family succumbed to the industry's charms and formed Bronco Wine Company.

Over the next 40+ years, the family-owned company has grown to become a force in the U.S. wine industry, committing itself to becoming the largest privately held vineyard holder in the U.S. Bronco Wine Company is focused on crafting quality wines for every table through hard work, innovation, and a willingness to embrace change - touchstones that are the backbone of its success and while also laying the groundwork for a strong foundation for future generations.

Tasting Note:

MONTPELLIER VIOGNIER 2020 - California, USA (#658138) (D) - $19.95
Predominantly Viognier (83%) with Chardonnay (6.7%), Gewurztraminer (5%), and Muscat (5.3%) completing the blend. The medium intensity nose seems quiet with aromas of lemon, white floral, and herbs with hints of apple, pear, lychee, and beeswax. The mid-weighted palate is fleshy and viscous with ripe lemon, white flowers, herbal flavours. The bright, juicy acidity hides the vague impression of sweetness, with notes of ripe apple, vanilla, lychee and beeswax joining the flavour replays on the dry, juicy, slightly bitter and leesy finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts

Other delicious wines from Montpellier Vineyards are available through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.

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