Do we ship to you?.
750ml
Bottle:
$25.94
12 bottles:
$25.42
92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Naoussa, i.e., the Estate Xinomavro with just Domaine Karydas on...
750ml
Bottle:
$24.94
12 bottles:
$24.44
This is a tasty and waxy white with lemon rind, beeswax, chamomile and jack fruit on the nose. Medium-bodied, full of...
750ml
Bottle:
$15.94
12 bottles:
$15.62
A light- to medium-bodied red, with spice and herb accents lacing baked black plum, smoke and black licorice flavors...
750ml
Bottle:
$23.90
12 bottles:
$23.42
Rare aromatic complexity with intense tannin structure and robust acidity. An excellent pair for red meat and game.
750ml
Bottle:
$15.94
$16.66
12 bottles:
$15.62
The 2022 Savatiano Old Vines is unoaked and comes in at 12.6% alcohol. This is mightily impressive in its youth....
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$107.95
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$111.02
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$78.95
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$89.94
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$81.87
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$94.94
Mencia Savatiano Xinomavro
Savatiano is probably Greece's most well known and most widely grown grape varietal, as it is the primary grape used in the production of Retsina, where the fermenting juices of the Savatiano varietal are flavored with pine resin in order to make this distinctive and famous wine. One of the reasons for the wide cultivation of this grape is due to its hardiness, and resistance to drought conditions. In the sun-drenched and dry, rocky Greek landscapes, this makes it an ideal vine to grow for wine-makers who require a strong and bounteous yield each year.
However, there are plenty of examples of Greek white wines which use the Savatiano grape but withhold from the addition the pine resin flavoring, allowing the true characteristics of this varietal to shine through. The result is often very pleasing indeed, with Savatiano grapes generally producing extremely well balanced and rounded white wines, with a juicily fruity flavor. Their aromas can vary quite a lot, with many Savatiano wines bearing the fragrance of citrus fruits, and also occasionally having a strong floral aroma reminiscent of elder and rose. Due to the relatively low acidity of Savatiano grapes, the wines which use them (including Retsina) generally bolster themselves with the addition of smaller quantities of more acidic varieties, such as Assyrtiko or Rhoditis, in order to improve their sometimes weak structure.
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.