Greek Wine, Greece, Europe, Old World, What To Drink, Red Wine, White Wine, Rose Wine, James Mallios, Amali, Greek Wine Recs, Recommendations, Koniaros, Domaine Nerantzis, Liatiko/Madilari, Domaine Economou, Cabernet Sauvignon, Christos Kokalis, Trilogia, Ilia, Ilio Fos Rapsani, Sigalas Mavrotragano, Thimiopoulos Vineyards, Xinomavro
Greek wines are having a recent renaissance. And they should because Greece is one of the oldest wine making regions in the world and the wines are ideal for enjoying with Mediterranean food.
The Greek Wine Renaissance
June 14, 2012
Photographs courtesy of Domaine Sigalas | Nerantzi
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Drink | Greek Wine
Greek wines are having a recent renaissance. And they should because Greece is one of the oldest wine making regions in the world and the wines are ideal for enjoying with Mediterranean food.
Here are 5 recommendations from restaurateur James Mallios of Mediterranean restaurant Amali in New York, NY.
Economou is from the Epirus region - my family's neck of the woods. It’s the reason I am proud of them, but not the reason I like the wine. They are working with ancient varietals that they themselves cultivated and resurrected. Oftentimes, they will not make wine if the vintage isn't up to snuff. They are pioneers of organic winemaking and Slow Food movements in Greece. Originally, they only sold to Michelin restaurants in Europe. When people blind taste the wine, it is often described as a Barolo, Burgundy or Bordeaux.
Pairing: A wide range of food, but really pairs well with lamb.
Price: $45
One of the few examples of where Greece does as a good job with a noble red varietal as they do with their own native varietals. A cult wine following in Greece and abroad.
Pairing: It sounds stereotypical, but it goes really well with lamb.
Price: $65
As with the Economou, this is from the Epirus region and similarly, they also work with ancient varietals and are focused on organic winemaking. It’s a meaty, muscular wine.
Pairing: Because of its structure pair it with something that can stand up to it, such as game or a ribeye steak.
Price: $75
Paris is an icon of Greek winemaking who’s known for his Assyrtiko. But the Mavrotragano is something special. It’s a Slow Food Certified wine using certified organic wild Mavrotragano grapes (some are cultivated). One of the few expressions of a dark, full bodied, fruit driven wine from Greece. It’s more fruit driven than the Kokalis.
Pairing: I would think along the lines of pairing as you would a powerful Central Coast Pinot or even Syrah. A glass of Mavrotragano and a rib steak would be a joy together.
Price: $60
This winemaker makes a great biodymanic wine. The Uranos is funky, earthy and medium bodied and really varies bottle to bottle. The Young Vines Thimiopoulos is also great - a really zippy red wine with bright cherry fruit and good acid.
Pairing: Think a Cru Beaoujolais or analogous Burgundy.
Price: Young Vines ~$15 / Uranos ~$25
