Domaine Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Happy New Year! For tonight's red wine review, I'm starting off the new year with this terrific Smart Buy from Greece that is a brand-new arrival in this Saturday's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on January 4th - and already widely available for purchase across Ontario.

Like the excellent 2023 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko that I enjoyed a couple of months ago, this red wine is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known winery based in the Nemea wine region that is dedicated to producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of Greece.

Domaine Skouras was established in 1986 by George Skouras in the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of the city of Argos, in the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece. He established the winery in his homeland following his studies in oenology in Dijon, Burgundy. George then created a boutique winery in the village of Gymno, in northeastern Peloponnese, within the Nemea appellation, where he performed countless hours of manual work on a minuscule scale, while learning invaluable lessons about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination.

Today, Domaine Skouras is located in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. Established in 2004, this ultra-modern winemaking facility is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly Agiorgitiko. The facility was designed to ensure proper and thorough procedures of the highest standards in all aspects from wine production to bottling to ageing, while also offering a first-class experience for visitors. George and his wife, Ourania, continue to work at the winery and are joined by their two children - Dimitris and Stella. Dimitris studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while Stella is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The philosophy at Skouras that permeates through each step from vineyard to bottle is reflected in the words: purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and the imprint of the terroir. Everyone in the team at Skouras works, observes, supervises, acts and reacts, advises and consults with the goal of achieving optimum ripeness and obtaining the best possible grape. The premise behind this goal is that the better the fruit, the better the wine. With better fruit, Skouras wines show all the hallmarks of their creator with intensity, vibrancy, and complexity, characteristics which are expressed with elegance, grace, and nobility. In Domaine Skouras, the wines are engraved with the character of their terroir.

This red wine is crafted using 90% Agiorgitiko and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, with both grapes grown in the winegrowing region of Nemea. It would have been classified as PDO Nemea, Greece's most important appellation, if it was 100% Agiorgitiko, but is instead classified as the regional appellation of PGI Peloponnese. The Agiorgitiko was harvested in the middle of September from 26-year-old vines grown in clay soil at 650 metres above sea level, while the Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested at the end of August from 21-year-old vines grown in sandy soil at 500 metres above sea level. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent alcoholic fermentation and extraction in stainless steel vats at 23˚C for 6 days, followed by full malolactic fermentation in vats, and short ageing on its fine lees.

The growing season in Greece 2023 proved to be somewhat challenging as it was a warm vintage, with water scarcity and the prevalence of downy mildew, conditions which resulted in reduced yields. However, the quality of this vintage is promising and looks high indeed. Let's see how this 2023 Greek red wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

DOMAINE SKOURAS CUVÉE PRESTIGE AGIORGITIKO / CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#38581) (XD) - $14.95 $13.00
Enclosed by screw cap, this unoaked blend of 90% Agiorgitiko and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon has a fruity, medium-high intensity nose that delivers ripe red & black berry, cranberry, black cherry, mulberry, and brambly aromas with hints of spice, and dried herbs adding savoury complexity. It has good weight on the medium-full bodied and dry palate with delicious ripe red & black berry, cran-cherry, plum, and dried herb flavours with touches of stony minerality. Quite savoury on the mid-palate, along with fresh, juicy acidity. Tannins are smooth, refined, and lightly structured. It's nicely balanced and harmonious throughout with plummy berry notes tapering to savoury minerals on the lengthy, gently grippy finish. Really well-made and a smart buy! Score: 89 pts

Several fine wines by Domaine Skouras are available in various quantities at the LCBO, while the full range can be ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko last year, tonight's white wine review is the latest vintage of this terrific wine that arrived at the LCBO recently in last month's October 19 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

This white wine is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known winery that was founded by George Skouras. Born in Argos, a city within the Peloponnese peninsula of southern Greece, George studied oenology in Dijon (Burgundy) and realized his long-held vision to establish his own winery in his homeland in 1986.

Initially, Domaine Skouras was located in Pyrgela, a small village on the outskirts of Argos, followed by the creation of a boutique winery within the Nemea Appellation of northeastern Peloponnese, in the village of Gymno. In Nemea, George performed countless hours of manual work on a minuscule scale while learning about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination - lessons which became invaluable. The Nemea zone is the largest - and quite possibly the most exciting - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece, while the nearby PDO of Mantinia and other surrounding areas which do not have PDO status have excellent terroirs for viticulture. Domaine Skouras owns a number of vineyards across all these areas.

Today, Domaine Skouras is located in the highlands of Argolida, within the village of Malandreni in Nemea, in northeastern Peloponnese, just a few kilometres from Argos. The ultra-modern winemaking facility of Domaine Skouras was established in 2004 and is situated among vineyards in an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for the Agiorgitiko variety. The two children of George and his wife, Ourania, are also energetically continuing the vision of the Domaine. Their son, Dimitris, studied Viticulture and Oenology in France, while their daughter, Stella, is a graduate of Economics and Marketing studies in Scotland.

The philosophy permeating each Skouras wine is reflected by the words: purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and the imprint of the terroir. The entire viticultural team works, observes, supervises, acts and reacts, advises and consults with only one aim - to achieve optimum ripeness and obtain the best possible grape - as the focus is on delivering better fruit, which in turn delivers better wine. The thrilling Skouras wines display the hallmarks of their creator: intensity, vibrancy, and complexity, characteristics which are expressed with elegance, grace, and nobility. Domaine Skouras wines are engraved with the character of their terroir.

Like the previous vintage, this white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the village of Gymno, Nemea, at 600 metres above sea level, on red clay soil. The vines average 10 years of age, while harvest took place in September. To vinify this wine, the grapes were whole-bunch pressed and underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel at 15°C, followed by ageing sur lie for 4 months, and without undergoing malolactic fermentation.

The 2023 growing season was a warm vintage that had a prevalence of downy mildew, which resulted in reduced yields. However, quality is high. Let's see how this 2023 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. The medium-high to highly aromatic nose is elegantly fragrant and enticing with savoury and minerally aromas flecked with lemon peel, citrus, white floral, garden herb, and grapefruit, with touches of leesy and doughy notes adding further complexity. It has impressive concentration on the medium-full bodied and dry palate with ripe and slightly honeyed flavours of lemon peel, citrus, grapefruit, floral, and leesy mineral. There's a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel, along with clean and refreshing acidity. It's well-structured and nicely balanced throughout, with lovely mineral notes lingering on the long, finely textured finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Skouras can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Thalia Wines (Greece) - Wine Reviews

Tonight's wine reviews are a trio of wines from Greece that I've had in my possession for nearly a couple of years now. While these particular vintages are long sold out, the latest vintage of each wine is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario at a about $1+ more than the price noted below.

All three wines are produced by Thalia Wines, a wine brand from Greece that was established by Steve Kriaris of Kolonaki Group of Companies. In addition to importing many boutique Greek wines into Canada, he also began producing and importing Thalia Wines - a range of three, diverse wines that are rooted in the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Greek winemaking.

The brand is inspired by Thalia, the eighth of nine Greek muses which inspired artists to create. She was born to Zeus, king of the gods, and Mnemosyne, the personification of thought, intellect, and memory, and the Mother of the arts. Thalia is the goddess of comedy, poetry, and festivity, and the one who inspired laughter to emanate from Greek theatres. To the ancient Greek philosophers, Thalia was the inspiration for their symposiums where they drank wine, listened and danced to music, debated, recited poetry, and revelled the night away.

Thalia is this wine brand's muse as she embodies their wines borne of ancient Greek lands and carries the fermentations of inspired generations in its genes. Thalia wines are best enjoyed amongst friends and loved ones, where we subconsciously desire to recreate the ancient Greek gatherings and enjoy each other's company, thoughts, and laughter.

The entire range of Thalia wines consists of 3 wines - a red, white, and rosé. All three wines are two-varietal blends that combine a native variety with an international variety. The 2021 vintage wines reviewed below are all from a good vintage, so let's see how these Greek wines are tasting tonight...

Tasting Notes:

THALIA ROSÉ (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#27148) (XD) - $10.95
A blend of 80% Agiorgitiko, Greece's noblest red grape variety, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. After hand-harvesting the grapes, each variety spent 2 to 3 hours on its skins. The free-run wine must was then blended and fermented together at low temperatures using selected yeast. Enclosed by screw cap and pours a medium orange-pink salmon hue. The medium+ to medium-high intensity nose delivers dried herb, white pepper spice, grapefruit, citrus, and blood orange aromas with hints of stony minerality. It's nicely textured on the medium+ to medium-full bodied and dry palate with delicious dried herb, peppery spice, grapefruit, citrus, and red apple flavours supported by very good, crisp acidity. It has a nicely textured mouthfeel, while red currant and berry notes join the herbal and grapefruit characters on the juicy, dry finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 88+ pts

THALIA WHITE (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#273490) (XD) - $11.50
This blend of 70% Assyrtiko, one of Greece's highest quality grapes and comes from the high altitudes of the Achaia region, and 30% Sauvignon Blanc, each variety was hand-harvested and fermented separately at low temperatures using selected yeast, followed by ageing on its fine lees for 2 months. Fresh and fragrant with ripe aromas of lemon citrus, hay, orange, and grapefruit, plus some intriguing yeasty, doughy, autolytic characters adding complexity. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and ripe with slightly honeyed notes of lemon citrus, grapefruit, apple, and wild herbs, with touches of leesy minerality. Acids are juicy and well-balanced. Subtle spice on the mid-palate, while citrus and leesy mineral notes linger on the lengthy, crisp finish. Well-made and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

THALIA RED (2021) - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#15285) (XD) - $11.60
This blend of 80% Agiorgitiko and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon was hand-harvested and had gentle skin contact for one week. After undergoing alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, the two varieties were blended and aged. It has a fragrant, medium+ intensity nose of ripe black cherry, red plum, vanilla oak spice, and sweet cinnamon aromas with savoury earth accents. On the medium+ bodied palate it is dry with good structure that supports the black cherry, currant, plum, cassis, savoury earth, coffee, and gently oak spice flavours. It has very good, juicy acidity and smooth, supple tannins with a lightly grippy texture. There's some pleasant bitterness on the mid-palate, while earthy, dark cherry, coffee, and spice notes linger on the finish, with very good length. Should continue to age gracefully over the next 2-3 years. Score: 88+ pts

The latest edition of all three wines are widely available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Skouras Cuvée Prestige Agiorgitiko / Moscofilero Rosé 2023 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's rosé wine review is a lovely dry rosé from Greece that arrived at the LCBO as part of last weekend's July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the lovely 2022 Skouras Moscofilero I enjoyed a few months ago, this rosé is also produced by the well-known and highly-regarded Domaine Skouras. The winery was established in 1986 by George Skouras, a man who was born in the Peloponnese town of Argos, one of Europe's oldest towns with a rich, 3,000-year-old tradition of wine and culture.

With an interest in wine, George studied Agriculture at the University of Dijon, in Burgundy, France, where he encountered Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and famous local winegrowers that put a spell on him. After graduating with a degree in Oenology, George set out to gain experience in the classic wine-producing regions of France, Italy, and Greece, and upon returning home, he realized his dream of having his own winery - a small winemaking facility which was located in the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of Argos.

The next chapter in Mr. Skouras' wine career led him to create a boutique winery in the Nemea Appellation of the northeastern Peloponnese, where he put in countless hours of manual work to learn invaluable lessons about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination.

Today, Domaine Skouras is an ultra-modern winery situated in the highlands of Argolida, an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for Agiorgitiko. Situated near the winery is the PDO of Mantinia, a region which has a Mediterranean climate with continental influences and known for its Moscofilero. The philosophy at Skouras is focused on purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and imprint of the terroir, with the aim of achieving optimum ripeness and obtaining the best possible grape. George Skouras is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that showcase Greek terroir, while embracing modern techniques and putting a strong emphasis on minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

This rosé is a blend of 70% Agiorgitiko and 30% Moscofilero that is classified as PGI Peloponnese because the grapes come from two different areas within the Peloponnese. From 28-year-old vines, the Agiorgitiko was grown in Corinthia on calcareous soil at an altitude of 850 metres above sea level, while the Moscofilero is from 30-year-old vines grown on sandy soil in Mantinia at an altitude of 750 metres above sea level. The grapes were harvested from the end of September to the beginning of October. To craft this rosé, the Moscofilero had skin contact for 6 hours, while blending and alcoholic fermentation occurred in stainless steel vats, without undergoing malolactic fermentation. It was aged for a short period on its fine lees, and then bottled under screw cap.

From a warm vintage that had a prevalence of downy mildew that reduced yields, let's see how this 2023 Rosé from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS CUVÉE PRESTIGE AGIORGITIKO / MOSCOFILERO ROSÉ 2023 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#25745) (XD) - $15.95
Blend of 70% Agiorgitiko and 30% Moscofilero that is enclosed by screw cap. Pours a pretty shade of pink salmon colour. Lovely, medium-high intensity aromatics are fresh, zesty, and minerally, with red berry, strawberry, currant, cherry, and grapefruit citrus notes. The mid-weighted palate is dry, ripe, and lightly honeyed with tart red berry, strawberry, currant, and grapefruit citrus flavours joined by spicy notes on the mid-palate. Acids are crisp, fresh, and juicy, while tart red berry and grapefruit citrus notes with touches of leesy minerals linger on the finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Skouras can be found through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits - or at the LCBO.

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Zacharias Moschofilero 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

After enjoying the excellent 2022 Zacharias Assyrtiko last month, tonight's white wine review is another lovely wine from the same producer that arrived at the LCBO today as part of the July 6 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection. While stores may be closed due to the strike, this can be ordered online from lcbo.com.

Like the Assyrtiko, this white wine is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region of northeastern Peloponnese, Greece. The family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio, Nemea. These vineyards are spread out and produce some of Greece's finest fruit, which leads to high-quality wines.

Since its founding in 1974 and as one of the region's most historic wineries, the art of winemaking for the Zacharias family has been more than a passion. Zacharias has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. In addition to Agiorgitiko, the family also plants twelve other grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as some international varieties. The vineyards are managed to produce small yields, while using an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, which results in concentrated grapes to produce quality wines. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The PGI Peloponnese appellation was established in 1989 and consists of seven regional units. While not the same quality as PDO wines, PGI wines largely demonstrate authenticity and formality with respect to varieties and regions. The PGI wines crafted by Zacharias Winery use grapes grown in the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Nemea, in Corinthia of the Peloponnese, and Mantinia of Arcadia. The climate in the Peloponnese varies depending on the region and altitude, but in general, it has a privileged Mediterranean climate where it is mild and warm on the coast, and cold in the interior lands.

This 100% Moschofilero was organically farmed in the PGI Peloponnese appellation and hand-harvested from late-September to early-October. To vinify this wine, the grapes underwent a cold maceration for 3 hours for 20% of the final blend, and fermentation at a low, controlled temperature in stainless tanks. Let's see how this 2022 Moschofilero from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#548222) (XD) - $15.95
The attractive, medium-high intensity nose offers pretty aromas of Mandarin orange, honeysuckle, floral, grapefruit, lychee, and citrus. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is dry, ripe, and slightly honeyed with delicious citrus, grapefruit, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and floral flavours with touches of spice, wild herbs, and lychee adding further complexity. Acids are fresh, juicy, and mouth-watering. There's a touch of zesty spice on the mid-palate, while savoury, leesy notes come through on the juicy finish, with very good length. Perfect thirst quencher for summer drinking and a highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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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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Mega Spileo Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is yet another lovely white wine from Greece. This refreshing Assyrtiko arrived at the LCBO as part of the recent LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on June 8th.

Like the lovely 2022 Mega Spileo Malagousia that I enjoyed last month, this white wine is also produced by the historic and significant winery and monastery - Mega Spileo Estate.

Situated near the town of Kalavryta, in the Achaea region of northern Peloponnese, Mega Spileo holds a special place in Greek orthodox tradition and history. It is built into the side of a steep cliff overlooking the Vouraikos Gorge and offers stunning natural views of the landscape. Originally established in 362 A.D. by brothers who were also monks, the monastery added vine cultivation to its lands around the mid-15th century. The grapes were used by the monks to produce wine for both the Holy Communion and a nutritious dietary supplement. During this period, a massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired and used to store 12 tonnes of wine - a barrel which still survives to this day.

In 1999, the latest chapter of the long and storied history of Mega Spileo Estate began after brothers Giannis and Theodoros Anastasiou received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery. The vision of the Anastasiou brothers was to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced oenologists and wine producers. In order to create a completely new and unique estate, the team re-planted the vines and implemented best practices in the vineyard and winery, including protecting the environment and using sustainable agricultural techniques. The process led to the cultivation of high-quality grapes, which in turn to the production of high-quality wines, resulting in Mega Spileo Estate becoming a significant point of reference for Greek wine production.

Today, Mega Spileo Estate is situated just a few minutes away from the historic monastery, and within the UNESCO Chelmos-Vouraikos Global Geopark, which covers an area of 647 sq. km. It was included as part of the UNESCO program in 2015 thanks to its unique characters - a combination of rare geological, natural, and cultural elements. The area surrounding the Estate has tall mountains, plateaus, sheer gorges, ancient trees, wild herbs, flowers, and cool breezes, all of which come together to create a unique micro-climate.

Crafted with 100% Assytriko, the grapes were grown on mountain vineyards in Aigialeia and Kalavryta, at an altitude of more than 700 metres above sea level. After harvesting the grapes in late-September, it underwent a static racking of the grape must for 48 hours, followed by a low-temperature, alcoholic fermentation using selected yeasts. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees for 3 months in stainless steel tanks, after which one-third of the wine was transferred into oak barrels and matured for a further 3 months, then reassembled and bottled. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#31680) (XD) - $22.95
Fresh and fragrant, the medium-high intensity nose offers lovely, slightly perfumed aromas of ripe lemon citrus, orchard fruit, apple, pear, and mineral notes with touches of spice. It's mid-weighted on the palate with a fine, textural mouthfeel that supports the ripe, lightly honeyed flavours of lemon citrus, leesy mineral, ripe apple/pear, grapefruit, and mild spice notes. Complex and nicely balanced with fresh, lively acidity, and a gently chalky textured mouthfeel. Spice notes taper to leesy minerals and lime citrus on the long, textured finish. Chill and enjoy this highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Mega Spileo can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Zacharias Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Assyrtiko from Greece that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the June 8th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region, which is situated in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece.

The Zacharias family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio. The family's vineyards on these lands are spread sluggishly, offering the finest fruit for the production of high-quality wines. Zacharias plants thirteen grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as international varieties. With small yields and an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, the juices from these grapes create quality wines.

Situated 115 km southwest of Athens, historically, Nemea was better known for the famous feat of Hercules who exterminated the terrible Lion of Nemea that inhabited the area. According to legend, the son of the god of wine, Dionysus, reigned this land and founded a city that bore his name - Fliounta. Nemea used to be called Agios Georgios, from the homonymous Byzantine church from which the famous grape variety - Agiorgitiko - took its name. Winegrowing, including the Agiorgitiko variety, and the production of wine in the region date back to 2000 B.C.

For the Zacharias family, the art of winemaking has been more than a passion for over 30 years. As the most historic winery in Nemea, since 1974, it has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The production area in and around Nemea is quite extensive, ranging from 200 metres up to 850 metres above sea level, with most of the area's vineyards planted on slopes. The climate in the region is the typical Mediterranean climate, with average annual temperatures of 17°C, and average annual rainfall of 750 mm. The soil in the vineyards have average organic content, with moderate alkaline pH, and a relatively high content of calcium carbonate.

To craft this 100% Assyrtiko, the grapes were grown within the PGI Peloponnese appellation, the southernmost of the Balkan peninsula and Greece's largest and most productive wine region. After hand-harvesting the grapes in late-September, they underwent a cold maceration for 12 hours, followed by a cooler fermentation in stainless steel vats. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95
Fresh and fragrant, the inviting, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely yellow flowers, ripe lemon citrus, and melon aromas accented with fresh herbs and anise notes. On the dry, well-structured, medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and very lightly honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, floral, melon, and herbal replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by crisp and refreshing acidity, along with some spice notes and a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Crisp and fresh, with leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.

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Mega Spileo Malagousia 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Malagousia from Greece. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO and was featured as part of the theme on Classic Euro Regions in the May 11 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

Like the excellent 2015 Mega Spileo Estate Cabernet Sauvignon I enjoyed last month, this white wine is made by the same producer - Mega Spileo Estate. The historic and significant Mega Spileo monastery and winery is situated near the town of Kalavryta, within the Achaea region of the Peloponnese. As the oldest and continuously occupied institution in Greece, and the 2nd oldest in the world, the estate is built inside a large cave overlooking the Vouraikos Gorge and provides stunning, natural surroundings. The monastery was established in 362 A.D. by brothers who were also monks, with vine cultivation entering the picture from the mid-15th century onwards, as the monks grew grapes to produce wine for the Holy Communion and as a nutritious dietary supplement. During this period, a massive barrel called "Angelis" was acquired and used to store 12 tonnes of wine - it still survives to this day.

The latest chapter of Mega Spileo Estate began in 1999, when brothers Giannis & Theodoros Anastasiou received a long-term lease on the Estate from the Monastery. The Anastasiou brothers are guided by their vision to revitalize the historical vineyard using a team of experienced wine producers and oenologists who re-planted vines and implemented best practices, including sustainable agriculture and environmental protection, for the cultivation and production of high-quality wine to create a completely new and unique estate. Cultivating both local and international varieties, Mega Spileo produces top-quality products that have become a significant point of reference for Greek wine production.

Crafted with 100% Malagousia, this white wine was organically cultivated in vineyards on the Trapeza Plateau and in Vrosthena. The Trapeza vineyard is located at Agios Nikolaos, in Pera Kampos at Trapeza, Diakopto, along the northern coast of the Achaia region in West Greece. The Trapeza vineyard is planted on an amphitheatrical plateau at an altitude of about 830 metres, overlooking the Corinthian Gulf, and is a passage for visitors to the Palaeomonastero of Agios Nikolaos, and is connected to the mountain village of Trapeza via a provincial road. Spread over 13 hectares, the vineyard has sand and clay soil of varying depths and has good humidity retention. The ground also has a striking red colour due to iron oxides in the soil. The local microclimate is mild and quite dry, especially from April onwards, and is directly exposed to winds from all directions. With its proximity to the sea, the grapes benefit from both mild local temperatures and humidity, and allow the grapes to ripen earlier.

The Malagousia in this wine also comes from the Vrosthena vineyard, which is located at Apidies of Lofos, a small mountain village near Diakopto in Achaia Prefecture. This 2 hectare vineyard is planted at an altitude of between 800 and 850 metres, on a northward slope of sand and clay with good depth and drainage, with views of the Trapeza plateau and the Corinthian Gulf. Exposure and altitude form the mild local microclimate, with stable temperatures and year-round rains allowing the grapes to ripen properly.

After harvesting the grapes in early-September, it underwent a pre-fermentation extraction for about 3 hours, followed by static racking and alcoholic fermentation using selected yeasts at low temperatures in stainless steel tanks. The wine stayed in contact with its fine lees, while gently stirred, for 4 to 5 weeks. Let's see how this 2022 Malagousia from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

MEGA SPILEO MALAGOUSIA 2022 - PGI Achaia, Greece (#36837) (XD) - $19.95
Fresh and fragrant, the lifted, highly aromatic nose offers pretty aromas melon, lychee, honeysuckle, floral, and grapefruit citrus. On the dry, medium-bodied palate it has gently spicy notes followed by melon, honeysuckle, floral, lychee, and citrusy aromas replays on the flavour profile. It has juicy, bracing, and tangy acidity, while leesy mineral notes with some pleasing bitterness linger on the juicy, lightly chalky textured finish, with very good length. Highly recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other lovely wines by Mega Spileo Estate can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Skouras Moscofilero 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Moscofilero from Greece that is brand-new to the LCBO, arriving at LCBO outlets across Ontario as part of last weekend's LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection on April 13th.

Like the excellent 2022 Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko I enjoyed late last year, this white wine is also produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known and highly regarded winery that was founded in 1986 by George Skouras. Born in Argos, within the Peloponnese region in southern Greece, George is from one of Europe's oldest towns with a rich, 3,000-year-old tradition of wine and culture.

George's interest in wine led him to study Agriculture at the University of Dijon, in Burgundy, France, where he encountered Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and famous local winegrowers that put a spell on him. After graduating with a degree in Oenology, George set out to gain experience in the classic wine-producing regions of France, Italy, and Greece. Upon returning home in Greece, he realized his dream of having his own winery - a small winemaking facility which was located in the small village of Pyrgela, on the outskirts of Argos.

Mr. Skouras then created a boutique winery within the Nemea Appellation of northeastern Peloponnese, where he put in countless hours of manual work to learn about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination. These lessons were invaluable as Domaine Skouras is, today, an ultra-modern winery located in the highlands of Argolida, an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for Agiorgitiko. Situated near the winery is the PDO of Mantinia, where this white wine is from, which has a Mediterranean climate with continental influences, and is one of the coldest PDO zones in Greece. Moschofilero is the primary varietal grown in Mantinia.

With great skill, George Skouras is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that showcase Greek terroir. The philosophy at Domaine Skouras is focused on purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and imprint of the terroir, with the aim of achieving optimum ripeness and obtaining the best possible grape, as the better the fruit is at harvest, the better the wine. Domaine Skouras crafts wines using grapes from not only their own vineyards, but also from select, quality-oriented growers who are under the guidance of the Skouras viticulture team. Skouras embraces modern techniques, while putting a strong emphasis on minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Moscofilero that was grown in the district of PGI Arcadia, within the wine region of Peloponnese. More specifically, the grapes were grown at the high altitude of 2,400 feet above sea level at their vineyards in Mantinia, just northeast of central Peloponnese. The Moscofilero vines are 32 years of age and planted on sandy soil. After harvesting the grapes at the end of September, the juice had skin contact for 4 hours, with more than half free-run juice due to the colour on skins. It underwent fermentation in stainless steel vats, followed by a short maturation over fine lees. Let's see how this 2022 Moscofilero from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS MOSCOFILERO 2022 - PGI Arcadia, Greece (#27154) (XD) - $19.95
The fragrant, highly aromatic nose offers very pretty yellow and white florals, lychee, musky, anise, and orange blossom aromas layered over citrus and grapefruit notes. It's medium+ to medium-full bodied on the dry, well-structured palate with lovely honeyed, musky, floral, pear-apple, lychee, spice, and citrus flavours with impressive complexity. It has a slightly viscous-textured mouthfeel supported by fresh, juicy acidity. Leesy mineral notes accented with spice, floral, and citrus linger on the long, persistent finish. Enjoy this fantastic, highly recommended buy over the next 4+ years. Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Domaine Skouras are available at the LCBO and through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Skouras Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely wild fermented Assyrtiko from Greece. It brand new to the LCBO, arriving in-store (and online) as part of last weekend's November 4 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Domaine Skouras, a well-known winery that was founded by George Skouras, who was born in Argos, within the Peloponnese region, in southern Greece. Argos is one of the oldest towns in Europe with a 3,000 year tradition of wine and culture. George's interest in wine led him to study Agriculture at the University of Dijon, in Burgundy, France, in 1980. However, it was his acquaintance with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as meeting the famous local wine growers, that put a spell on him. Upon graduating from Dijon with a degree in oenology, George started gathering experience in many of the classic wine-producing regions in France, Italy, and Greece.

In 1986, George's long-held vision of having his own winery was realized with the creation of Domaine Skouras. The small winemaking facility was initially located in Pyrgela, a small village on the outskirts of Argos, followed by the creation of a boutique winery within the Nemea Appellation of northeastern Peloponnese, in the village of Gimno. In Nemea, George performed countless hours of manual work on an extremely small scale while learning about the Agiorgitiko variety and the Nemea denomination - lessons which became invaluable.

Today, Domaine Skouras is an ultra-modern winery that remains located in Nemea, in the highlands of Argolida, an area that is blessed with ideal winegrowing conditions, particularly for the Agiorgitiko variety. The winery is situated in Argolida, northeastern Peloponnese, close to the provinces of Corinthia and Arcadia, just a few kilometres from Argos, in the village of Malandreni. The Nemea zone is the largest - and quite possibly the most exciting - Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) for red wines in Greece, while the nearby PDO of Mantinia and other surrounding areas which do not have PDO status have excellent terroirs for viticulture. Domaine Skouras owns a number of vineyards across all of these areas.

As a skilled winemaker, George Skouras is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that showcase Greek terroir. In addition to their own vineyards, Skouras also collaborates with select, quality-oriented vine growers, under the expert guidance of the Skouras viticulture team. The philosophy at Domaine Skouras is focused on purity, varietal clarity, tracing of the region's mesoclimate, and imprint of the terroir, with the aim of achieving optimum ripeness and obtaining the best possible grape, as the better the fruit is at harvest, the better the wine. Contributing to the winery's success, Domaine Skouras embraces modern techniques, while putting a strong emphasis on minimal intervention in the winemaking process.

This white wine is crafted with 100% Assyrtiko that was grown in the village of Gymno, Nemea, at 620 metres above sea level. The vines are fairly young, averaging 9 years old, and planted on red clay soil. After harvesting the grapes in September, they are whole bunch pressed and underwent alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel, followed by 4 months of sur lie ageing, all in stainless steel. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#32387) (XD) - $25.95
Screw cap. The attractive, medium-high intensity nose is ripe and inviting with a lovely mix of lemon citrus, leesy mineral, grapefruit, and tropical fruit aromas, plus hints of white peach, floral, and saline adding further complexity. It's medium-full bodied and dry on the nicely structured palate with delicious grapefruit, lemon citrus, leesy mineral, peach, and floral replays. Some saline and spice characters appear on the mid-palate. Acids are fresh and juicy with nice structure. It's nicely balanced throughout with citrusy, mineral, and subtle spice notes lingering on the long and very juicy finish. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years, and quite possibly longer. Highly recommended buy! Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines by Domaine Skouras (including the 2022 Skouras Cuvée Prestige White which also arrived in this release) can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Kolonaki Fine Wines & Spirits.

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Lafazanis Geometria Moschofilero 2018 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely white wine from Greece that arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on September 5th. It is widely available at LCBO outlets across Ontario, as well as available online for delivery to store or home delivery.

It is produced by Lafazanis Winery, a producer whose roots go back to 1946, when Vassilis Lafazanis started making wine in Piraeus, a port city in Attica, Greece. In 1960, the Lafazanis family built its first family-owned winery in Magoula (Attica), some distance northwest of Piraeus. In 1985, the second generation of the family acquired an education in oenology and had a vision which helped pave the way to create a high-quality, state-of-the-art winemaking facility. In 1993, Spyros Lafazanis decided to move the winery to Nemea, a region he grew to love as a young oenologist, to cultivate the native grapes of Greece and produce superb quality wines.

Today, 80% of the approximately 4 million litres of Lafazanis' wine production is consumed locally. They have more than 10 hectares of their own vines, but also work in co-operation with 300 winegrowers. The vision is to produce high quality wines enthusiastically and environmentally responsibly, evolving to set the bar higher and higher over the time.

If you know me, you already know that I love this grape. Moschofilero (pronounced mow-sko-FEEL-err-oh) is a grape variety native to Greece that has existed in various iterations since ancient times. It's popularity grew in the 1970's and 1980's when producers studied the varietal more closely and crafted elegant, terroir-driven Moschofilero wines. The grape has a rather high degree of difficulty to grow because of its location and cultivation conditions, but the results are lovely when everything lines up. Moschofilero is typically grown in the misty, mountainous vineyards of the Peloponnese region of Mantinia, in central Greece. It is a pink-skinned grape and produces lively and floral white wines such as this expression from Lafazanis.

Tasting Note:

LAFAZANIS GEOMETRIA MOSCHOFILERO 2018 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#15753) (XD) - $17.95
The inviting nose is fresh and aromatic with floral and peach aromas plus touches of tropical fruit, candied ginger, spice, and citrus. It is medium+ bodied on the slightly oily palate with very good fruit concentration alongside crisp, lively acidity. It's dry with flavours of yellow stone fruit, spice, and lily florals. Nicely textured on the mid-palate with floral, spice, peach, and saline mineral notes lingering on the long, slightly drying finish. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other wines from the Lafazanis portfolio can be ordered via their Agent - Eurovintage Wines & Spirits.

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Greek Wine Party at iYellow Wine Club

On May 5th, I had the pleasure of attending a Greek Wine Tasting Party hosted at the iYellow Wine Cave. The evening was filled with Greek fare such as olives, cheese, dessert, and other traditional Greek foods that were served alongside more than 30 Greek wines.

In attendance were principals of the wineries, including winemakers, who made the trek all the way from Greece. One such gentleman was Yiannis Flerianos, winemaker at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

Panagiotopoulos Wines is located in Messinia, in the southwestern part of Peloponnese. They farm organically indigenous and international grape varieties at an altitude of 400 metres above sea level. One of the 4 wines that Mr. Flerianos brought with him was made using the local Malagousia grape - a wine that was my favourite white wine of the night. Yiannis also brought an organic 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon that showed minimal greenness and fine maturity. Both of these wines are reviewed below.

When I met Mr. Flerianos earlier this month, he mentioned that they did not have representation in our market. For any Agents looking to add a Greek winery that produces yummy wines, some of which are organic, to their portfolio, take a look at Panagiotopoulos Wines.

After having enjoyed the Cavino Grande Reserve during my Greek Wine series back in April, I was curious to see what else Cavino had to offer. On this night, in addition to the Grande Reserve, they also had their Reserve bottling and the premium Mega Spileo Grand Cave Red. Wine reviews of both of these delicious wines are found below, and can be purchased via their agent United Stars.

Most of the wines available for tasting on this night were available on Consignment, while a few could be found in the LCBO General List and VINTAGES sections. A couple of easy drinking wines that could be found in LCBO General List in 1 Litre or 1.5 Litre bottles were the Apelia Moschofilero (white wine, #239863) and Apelia Agiorgitiko (red wine, #239871). Both of the wines are available quite cheaply at $10.55 (1 Litre) and $13.95 (1.5 Litre) and make for good every day or party wines.

Overall, my impression of Greek wines is good value for money when using local grape varieties. And I hope they continue to produce these delicious wines and that the LCBO continuously brings them to Ontario. A recent initiative by the LCBO to launch regional specialty wine shops will certainly go a long way to help this cause. The first such store is located on the Danforth and features roughly 90 Greek wines.

Below, you will find wine reviews of some of the wines I enjoyed at this tasting.

And lastly, thank you to Angela Aiello and the iYellow team for the invite, and Ariel Andres for providing some of these photos.

Ya sou!

Tasting Notes:

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MALAGOUSIA 2014 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
Medium-high aromatics featuring orange, citrus, and wild herb notes. It's dry on the palate with balanced acids and herb, limestone, hay flavour profile. Excellent length on the finish. Score: 89 pts

PANAGIOTOPOULOS MERLOT 2009 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Aromas of medium-to-high intensity showing plum, milk chocolate, wet earth and cedar. Palate is medium+ bodied with very nice aroma replays and some mint, herbal notes for complexity. It has refined tannins, balanced acids and a long finish. Well done! Score: 89 pts

PANAGIOTOPOULOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON BIO 2008 - PGI Trifilia, Greece (XD) - $????
Made with organic grapes. Elegant medium+ aromas of cassis, dried fruit, fig, dark berry and whiffs of green pepper. The palate is medium-to-full bodied with very nice aroma replays. It has refined tannins and a very long finish. Score: 90+ pts

DOMAINE MERCOURI 2010 - PGI Letrini, Greece (XD) - $19.95
Red wine blend of 85% Refosco and 15% Mavrodaphne. Medium intensity nose with currant, vanilla, oak, bretty and smoke. Medium-bodied palate with fresh acids and a balanced flavour profile consisting of red fruit and leather. It's dry with somewhat firm, yet integrated tannins and medium-long finish with steely aftertaste. Score: 87 pts

DOMAINE LANTIDES LITTLE ARK 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $????
White wine blend that is equal parts Assyrtiko and Malagousia showing medium+ intensity aromas of crisp citrus, floral, mineral and herbally notes with floral and herbal flavours emerging on the palate. It's medium-bodied and feels plumpy in the mouth. Dry (i.e. not sweet) and lengthy finish. Score: 87 pts

CAVINO NEMEA RESERVE 2009 - PDO Nemea, Greece (XD) - $14.95
100% Agiorgitiko. Perfumed floral aromas of medium+ intensity, red berry, plum and sweet spices. Palate has low tannins with nice aroma replays, and good freshness from the acidity. Finish is medium-long. Score: 88 pts

CAVINO DOMAIN MEGA SPILEO GRAND CAVE RED 2008 - PGI Achaia, Peloponnese, Greece (XD) - $24.95
Blend of 60% Mavrodafne and 40% Mavro Kalavritino. Medium-to-high intensity aromatics featuring black fruits, earthy, dark cherries, barnyard and dried flowers. It's full-bodied with smooth, integrated tannins and pleasing aroma replays. It also has mouth-watering acids and a very long finish. Score: 90 pts

TSELEPOS CLASSIC MOSCHOFILERO 2014 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (#724583) (XD) - $14.95
Medium+ intensity nose with herbal, lemon and white peach aromas. The palate is dry with fresh, bright acids and very nice aroma replays with predominantly herbal notes. It has a slightly chalky mineral texture and a medium-long finish. I would expect this vintage to show up in LCBO VINTAGES at some point this year. Score: 88+ pts

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2008 Cavino Grande Reserve Nemea (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine is the final instalment in my series of Wines from Peloponnese (links to part 1, part 2 and part 3).

Once again, this is 100% Agiorgitiko with all the grapes coming from the Nemea PDO. However, in this case, the grapes hail from small vineyards in the Mountains of Nemea at an altitiude of 750 - 900 metres. It has gone through malolactic fermentation and maturation in French and American oak barrels for about 18 months, then bottled for another 12 months prior to release.

This particular red wine was featured last year in the November 22 LCBO VINTAGES release. Quite a few bottles are still available on shelves.


CAVINO GRANDE RESERVE 2008 - PDO Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece (#295618) (D) - $17.95

Tasting Note:
Plum, dried fig and herb aromas from the cork. Medium+ aromatics from the glass with blackcurrant, leather, cocoa and plum notes. On the palate, it's medium-bodied with rubber, wild herb, leather, raspberry, and spice flavours. It has very good acidity, dusty tannins, and shows hints of cocoa on the medium-length finish. This fine, maturing wine will drink nicely for another 2-3 years. Score: 88 pts

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2013 Tselepos Classic Moschofilero (Greece) - Wine Review

Opened up this fragrant beauty of a wine on Sunday in my continuuing series on wines from Peloponnese (part 1, part 2), Greece.

Grapes for this wine were sourced within Mantinia PDO, from selected vineyards within the communes of Rizes, Lithovounia and Agiorgitika in Arcadia. The region is known for producing wines of distinct aromatic and flavour profiles using the grapes Moschofilero and Asproudes (a term often used to refer to unknown varietals.) This white wine is a classic, textbook example of Moschofilero with its fragrant qualities and naturally fresh acidity.

The wine was featured among my wine picks in the December 6th LCBO VINTAGES release at $17.95, but has now come down in price by $3 - excellent value at this price point! Small quantities are available throughout the province, so you should be able to find this bottle at your local LCBO outlet.


TSELEPOS CLASSIC MOSCHOFILERO 2013 - PDO Mantinia, Peloponnese, Greece (#724583) (XD) - $14.95

Tasting Note:
100% Moschofilero. Light orange-pinkish hue. Perfumed nose of orange, peach, blossom flowers, very Muscat-like. Palate is medium-bodied and dry (not sweet) with orange peel, citrus and floral notes, vibrant acidity. Quite warm mouthfeel with 13% alcohol. Excellent length on the finish. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts

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Gaia Agiorgitiko by Gaia 2013 (Greece) - Wine Review

This is the 4th wine in my series featuring wines from the Peloponnese region of Greece. My first post about wines from Peloponnese featured a very easy drinking Agiorgitiko. Tonight's red wine is made from the same grape, but is more robust, shows more complexity and is more my style of wine.

Agiorgitiko is grown almost exclusively within Nemea, the largest PDO appellation of Greece. Nemea is located in northeast Peloponnese. Falling between Gaia Wines' Notios Red (which is meant to be enjoyed in its youth) and the Gaia Estate (with its long ageing potential), the Agiorgitiko by Gaia is a wine that can be enjoyed now or cellared for a few years after bottling.

The enclosure used on this wine is a synthetic cork made by Nomacorc. There is some writing in Greek (or some other language) written on the cork. It's included in picture below and if anyone can read that, I'd love to know what it says.

GAIA AGIORGITIKO BY GAIA 2013 - PDO Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece (#) (XD) - $21.30

Tasting Note:
Synthetic Nomacorc cork. Perfumed nose of cherries, red currant, and raspberry with underlying cedar oak and vanilla aromas. On the mid-weighted palate, it has much of the same aromas, with fine, dusty tannins, good structure and fresh acidity. Slight warmth on the mid-palate. Bitter, lengthy finish that has hints of oak. Enjoyable now or cellar up to 3 years. Available on Consignment via Agent The Small Winemakers Collection. Score: 88 pts

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Wines from Peloponnese, Greece

This is the first post in a series that will feature the wines of Peloponnese to celebrate Greek Orthodox Easter (April 12th) this year. In addition to the wines, I also received some very nice Greek products that I will be tweeting about over the coming days.

The Peloponnese wine region is located in the southern peninsula of Greece and is (mostly) separated from mainland Greece by the Gulf of Corinth. It is also the largest winemaking area in Greece. This region is home to ancient Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games, and has been producing wine for at least 4,000 years. Popular native grape varieties grown within the Peloponnese are Agiorgitiko, Moschofilero and Mavrodaphne.

Moschofilero (MOH-skoh-FEE-leh-roh) is a fragrant white grape with gray/pink/purple skin that exhibits floral, spice and perfumed characteristics. The wine reviewed below comes from Arcadia, in central Peloponnese, and shows very good typicity for the grape.

Agiorgitiko (ah-yohr-YEE-tee-koh) has to be one of the most difficult-to-pronounce grapes around. Fortunately, it also goes by the name 'St. George'. This black-skinned grape produces red wines that are quite fruity, as in the version below, similar to the Italian Barbera. Agiorgitiko is the second most widely planted red grape in all of Greece.

The last wine reviewed below is a blend using the Mavrodaphne and Black Korinthiaki grapes. The Mavrodaphne varietal is a black wine grape native to the Achaea region in Northern Peloponnese. It is typically used to produce fortified wine, as the Kourtaki is below. It is also typically blended using the solera method, which then produces a non-vintage wine.

The 2013 vintage of the Greek harvest is being hailed as one of the best in recent years, especially for white grapes. It showed in the Moschofilero. All the three wines reviewed below were quite easy drinking, have good crowd-appeal, and come at attractive price points at the LCBO.

Stay with me as I find kefi while taking you through the three remaining wines (two of which are from the 2013 vintage) to celebrate Easter and the wines of Peloponnese.

Tasting Notes:
TROUPIS FTERI MOSCHOFILERO 2013 - IGP Arcadia, Peloponnese, Greece (#392936) (XD) - $15.20
Very pale yellow colour, almost clear white. Fragrant aromatics that show floral, citrus, peach and some lychee and herbal notes as it warms up. The palate is medium-bodied and creamy with balanced acids. Flavour profile consists of floral, white peach and hints of orange. Initial kiss of sweetness tapers off into the dry spectrum. Decent length on the finish. A very good introduction to the grape. Readily available as it's LCBO General List. Score: 87 pts

BOUTARI AGIORGITIKO 2013 - PDO Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece (#172148) (XD) - $11.85
Plum and prune aromas from the cork. Medium intensity nose with red cherry, red currant and soft floral aromas. Palate is medium-bodied and dry, with soft, rounded tannins, balanced acids and red currant, cherry and mild spice flavours. Average length finish. Simple, easy drinking red. Readily available as it's LCBO General List. Score: 86 pts

KOURTAKI MAVRODAPHNE OF PATRAS - PDO, Peloponnese, Greece (#208413) (S) - $14.95
Blend of Mavrodaphne and Black Korinthiaki. Prune and raisin aromas from the cork. Medium intensity aroams of raisins, dried figs, caramel and dates with medium sweet aroma replays on the palate. Smooth, slightly creamy texture, light-to-mid weight body with good acids. Medium length finish that has notes of semi-sweet milk chocolate from a hot fudge sundae. Serve well-chilled. This fortified wine was recently released into VINTAGES on March 21 and has good inventory levels. Score: 86 pts

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