New Greek Wines,

Sunday, May 20th, 3-5pm

This Sunday we are having a special tasting of New Greek Wines (new to us, new to Seattle). Greek winemaking is as old as civilization, but has undergone a resurgence of quality and complexity. The wines hail from Mt Helicon and Rhodopi on the mainland, as well as from the islands of Crete and Santorini. We’ll have a spread of Mediterranean appetizers to match the wines. Come discover the new old world.
 
2010 Muses Estate, 9 Muses White $16
50% Assyrtiko, 30% Trebbiano, and 20% Sauvignon Blanc
Muses Estate is a family winery based near Thiva in the Valley of the Muses, near Mt. Helicon, a place of worship for the nine muses, the patronesses of spiritual creativity. Assyrtiko is the varietal that has brought glory to the island of Santorini, where it is renowned for its high acidity, crisp mineral flavors, and long aging capability. In hotter, more fertile soils like Thiva, the grape produces plumped, more citrus notes. Trebbiano provides a good deal of the crisp, clean finish. The Sauvignon Blanc gives traditional grassy notes.

 
2010 Diamantakis Winery, Prinos $18
50% Chardonnay, 50% Malvasia di Candia Aromatica
Long time grape growers, the Diamantakis’s took up winemaking in 2004. Situated in a mountainous valley, on the island of Crete, the family uses their terraced vineyards, and close proximity to Aegean sea breezes to grow international and indigenous varietals. The Prinos White has a perfumed nose with a citrus fruit aroma. The mid-palate is bright, citrus fruit with an aggressive finish.

 
2010 Thira Estate, Santorini $24
The grape Assyrtiko originated on Santorini where it finds its greatest expression due to the influence of the island’s volcanic soil. The grape is naturally resistant to most diseases, and the volcanic soil provides nutrient-filled soil without organic material, providing a phylloxera-free environment. This Santorini has complex aromas of lemon, citrus and exotic fruits and a pleasing mineral character derived from the volcanic soil. The wine is rich and well balanced with refreshing acidity, a long aromatic finish, and great aging potential.
 
2010 Muses Estate, 9 Muses Red $18
40% Syrah, 40% Merlot, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.
The 9 Muses Red has a complex bouquet of bright and dark berries, dark cherries, and tree fruit, with underlying hints of vanilla. The body is full of soft tannins, a velvety texture and a touch of spiciness, with a medium-long finish.
 
2007 Domaine Kikones, Ippeas Red $22
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot
Domaine Kikones was the first winery founded in Rhodopi (far northeast corner of continental Greece). “Kikones” is referred to by Homer in his epic poems as an ancient tribe that first made wine in the land of Thrace. The Ippeas has a bouquet of ripe plums and red fruit aromas on a background of a lightly smoked barrel along with notes of licorice and white pepper. The body is thick and velvety with rich tannins accompany a very long finish.




And don’t forget the Classic Italian tasting on Saturday!
So little time, so much to drink.

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