01/11/2024
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ซ๐จ
Xinomavro (ksee-NO-mav-ro), like the varieties it is usually compared to (Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo), is not a grape you appreciate but one you fall in love with. It breeds fanatics, both in drinkers and winemakers who devote their lives to discovering its many sides.
These are four wines that show the diversity and beauty of Xinomavro, in celebration of Xinomavro Day!
๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ข๐ค๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฏรฉ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐, ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ค๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ซ๐จ
We love the Cuvรฉe Speciale with its zesty aromas of wild strawberry cheesecake, but something really special is the Cuvรฉe de Reserve. With extended lees ageing it develops complex aromas of smoke, truffle, nuts, and honey, while remaining fresh and subtle. On a par with Premier Cru Champagne.
๐๐ฅ๐ฉ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ '๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐จ๐ ' ๐๐จ๐ฌรฉ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ซ๐จ
Alpha Estate is on the high-altitude Amyndeon plateau, which combines with very sandy soils to create great concentration, preserve aromatics, and maintain acidity. The region is Greece's only rosรฉ PDO and the wine shows off the floral and fruit side of Xinomavro with rose petals, strawberry, and raspberry offset by a hint of aniseed. Perfectly balanced with a long peppery finish.
๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ซ๐จ
From the rare Siatista region, which essentially has just one producer remaining, Dimitris Diamantis of Magoutes Vineyards rescues old vineyards and makes low intervention wines that have a haunting and ethereal beauty. The aromas are intense and lead you from violets and wild herbs, through layers of leafy red fruit, a hint of black fruit and an undertone of leather. Fine chewy tannins and bracing acidity complete one of our favourite expressions of this grape.
๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ณ๐๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฏ๐ซ๐จ
The list wouldnโt be complete without the homeland of Xinomavro โ the gentle rolling hills of Naoussa with its multitude of microclimates creating distinct cru. Naoussa is typically more rustic but producers, such as Melitzani, are moving away from oak and embracing more approachable expressions that donโt need decades of ageing to be enjoyed. This is still so typical though in its candied red fruit, tomato leaf, and olive nose and still fairly structured palate!
https://www.maltbyandgreek.com/wines/xinomavro
