The most renowned and prestigious wine-growing regions in Europe are to be found
on the mainland or continental provinces, such as Bordeaux in France, Piedmont
in Italy, and Rioja in Spain. However, there are many fine wines produced
off-shore on islands of these and other countries that offer the oenophile
untold delights at moderate price points with just a little extra searching
around in wine shops. This class focuses on such wines that often blend
indigenous island grape varietals with some of the usual suspects (Cabernet
Sauvignon, Merlot, etc.) to produce unique taste and aroma sensations unlike
those found in most mainstream juices. The tasting list includes wines from Greek islands such as Santorini as well as from Corsica and Sardinia. This virtual tour of the Mediterranean leads us to sample fruit of the vine not only off the
beaten track, but even beyond the shoreline.
Our wine tasting this past Tuesday, October 14, included the following wines:
Lyrarakis
Assyrtiko 2013
Varietal:
Assyrtiko
Classification:
Indication Géographique
Protégée (IGP) Crete
Production/Tasting
Notes: Sourced from high altitude villages of Eastern Crete;
fermented in stainless steel; slow fermentation for 20 days; fruity
with notes of apple, wild herbs of the region, lemon flowers; rich,
light body, with mineral undertones
Food pairings:
Grilled fish or seafood;
salads; white meat
13 % Alcohol
Notios White (Gaia Wines) 2012
Varietals:
Moschofilero 50%; Roditis 50%
Classification:
IGP Peloponnisos (Nemea)
Production/Tasting
Notes: Moschofilero
(pink-skinned) from the Arcadian Plateau; Roditis (also pink-skinned)
from the Korinthian slopes; crisp acidity; fruity (pear, apple);
citrusy backbone; notes of melon; hint of minerality; elegant finish
Food pairings:
seafood, salads; sushi;
shellfish; appetizers; white meat
12 % Alcohol
Costamolino,
Vermentino di Sardegna, Argiolas 2013
Varietals:
Vermentino 95%; other Sardinian
varietals 5%
Classification/Region:
Vermentino di Sardegna
Denominazione di Origine
Controllata (DOC)
Production/Tasting
Notes: Stainless steel vinification; underwent malolactic
fermentation; delicate aromas of citrus and tree fruit with
undertones of tropical fruit and honey; zesty acidity on the palate
Food pairings: pasta primavera; shrimp cocktail; vegetable terrine
13.5 % Alcohol
Costera Cannonau
di Sardegna Argiolas 2011
Varietal:
Cannonau 90%; Carignano 5%; Bovale Sardo 5%
Classification:
Cannonau di Sardegna DOC
Production/Tasting
Notes: Maturation in both French barriques (8 months) and cement
vats (5 months); Ruby-red in color, aromas of ripe black cherries and
tree fruit with undertones of pepper and licorice; notes of dried
berries, rosemary; thyme; on the palate, a full body and velvety
tannin; clean finish (92 points, James Suckling)
Food pairing: roasted beef, lamb cooked with rosemary, filet
mignon, and rustic cheeses.
14 % Alcohol
“E Prove” Corse Calvi,
Domaine Maestracci 2010
Varietals:
Niellucciu 35%; Grenache 35%;
Sciacarellu 15%; Syrah 15%
Classification:
Appellation Corse Calvi Contrôlée
Production/Tasting
Notes: Aged one year in stainless steel, followed by one year in
French oak barrels; aromas of red fruit, violets, spice, licorice &
toast; full-bodied with silky smooth tannins on the palate; flavors
of blackberry, blueberry and cherry in brandy; slight menthol aromas;
Food pairings:
hearty Mediterranean stews; ratatouille; strong cheeses
13.5% Alcohol
Nasiakos Agiorgitiko 2012
Varietals:
Agiorgitiko
Region:
Arcadia, Peloponnisos
Production/Tasting
Notes:: Soft, rounded and fruity on the palate; aromas of
blackberries, and forest fruits;
Food pairings: Roasted or grilled lamb, meats; full-flavored cheeses
12.5 %
Alcohol
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An unscientific survey of the class participants showed a preference for the Assyrtiko and the Vermentino for the whites, and the Cannonau and Corsican blend for the reds. Your results may vary - Cheers!
Factoids about
Greek and Mediterranean Wines
Agiorgitiko, also known as St.
George, is Greece's most famous red variety.
Grown on the hills of Nemea for
over 2,500 years, reds from this area are sometimes known as the
“blood of Hercules” giving him the strength to slay the Lion of
Nemea.
Roditis stems from the Greek word
“rodon” meaning rose.
Legend has it that Caesar wooed
Cleopatra with the white wines of Patras
Other Greek Grape Varietals
Whites
SAVATIANO – Greece's most widely
planted white varietal and the base for the popular Retsina wine
which is infused with pine resin; the best Retsinas are produced from
Savatiano grown in Attica
VILANA – Native to the island of
Crete, produces modestly priced refreshing white wines with
green-apple flavors.
Reds
LIMNIO – Grown on the Aegean island
of Limnos and throughout northern Greece; produces full-bodied wines
with high alcohol content; often blended with merlot and cabernet
sauvignon
MAVRODAPHNE – Meaning “black
laurel”, this grape flourishes in Patros and is blended with
Korinthiaki to produce dessert wines
XINOMAVRO (“acid black”) - Dominate
northern Greek red varietal; produces full-bodied reds with intense
fruit flavors and can be aged for many years.
