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750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$36.00
Ample malty aromas of fresh rye bread with a hint of peat. Flavors of raisins, dates, and gingerbread on the palate...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$42.12
Pleasantly full-bodied and peaty. An assertive smokiness comes through on the first sip, backed by vanilla, oak, and...
750ml
Bottle:
$39.86
$41.96
6 bottles:
$31.56
Peat smoke, briny lemon, and Islay beach sands dominate the effusive of nose of this fascinating blend. The palate...
750ml
Bottle:
$77.52
$81.60
Don Sutcliffe, a man of deep and impressive experience in our industry, has been Managing Director of Craft...
750ml
Bottle:
$36.48
$38.40
12 bottles:
$31.92
A Scotch whisky with enough grain spice and confection to appeal to bourbon drinkers, this everyday dram is unique...
700ml
Bottle:
$47.78
$50.30
6 bottles:
$39.76
A wide spectrum of aromas keeps this intriguingly attractive: floral and fruity—melon, orange, ripe apricot, and...
750ml
Bottle:
$189.94
$199.94
Nose: Wonderfully sweet with a strong salty peat lash. Some vanilla and tropical fruits in the second breath and then...
750ml
Bottle:
$149.42
$160.67
Nose: Toffee sweet with a dominant creme brulee and butterscotch attack. Some dates, some almonds and a hint of...
750ml
Bottle:
$61.27
$64.49
6 bottles:
$60.41
Excellent, Highly Recommended (Finalist) - 2020 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE
750ml
Bottle:
$61.27
$64.49
6 bottles:
$60.41
Robust aromas of baked apples, vanilla, and honey kissed oats are balanced with a touch of smoke. In the mouth the...
Blended Scotch Mavrodaphne Xinomavro
In the Archaea region, high in the Northern Peloponnese mountains, the predominant grape varietal grown is the prized Mavrodaphne. Meaning 'Black Laurel', the Mavrodaphne grapes have extremely dark skins, and ripen slowly under the Greek sunshine, helped by the mineral rich soils the vines thrive in. This grape varietal is mostly used to produce the opaque, inky fortified wine of the same name, which is popular all over Greece and elsewhere in the world. This fortified wine allows the grapes to really show off their complex and fascinating flavors, which range from a rich marzipan to flavors of bitter chocolate, sweet coffee, dried figs and prunes, as well as plenty of jammy fruit notes.
Mavrodaphne is produced in a traditional method which involves leaving the grape juice exposed to the sun in large vats, before having its fermentation halted by the addition of various distillates taken from previous successful vintages. This mixture contains plenty of residual sugar, which gives the end result its characteristic sticky sweetness, and also helps with the next fermentation process, which typically takes place in large underground cellars. The final product is a heady drink, absolutely bursting with unusual, rich and sweet flavors and carried in a dark and slightly viscous Port-like liquid.
Mavrodaphne grapes are also used for the production of still red wines, but are generally blended with varietals such as Agiorgitiko or imported grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon. Mavrodaphne grapes are excellent for mellowing more acidic varieties, and producing deliciously rounded wines, which have taken the international market by storm in recent decades.
Additional Information on Greek Wines
Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?
Xinomavro is the predominant grape varietal of Macedonia, although it is also grown in many parts of Greece where the climatic conditions are suitable for this particular fruit. The names translates as 'acid black', which gives some clue as to the nature of this varietal. The grapes are renowned for their high tannin content, which is a result of the thick and blue-black skins found on the fruit. This particular characteristic results in a superb aging potential in wines made from the Xinomavro varietal, as time spent in barrels softens these strong, astringent tannins and allows the full range of their flavors to come through in the wine. Most commonly, Xinomavro grapes are associated with aromas of red gooseberry, spices, olives and dried fruit, such as dried tomato.