Curious Case August 2023
Our Curious Case is a monthly enigma. This month's Curious Case is a mystery to be unveiled upon arrival, but we can tell you that it will be filled with Greek wines that are perfect for enjoying during the warmer months.
Greek wines have a long and rich history, dating back to the 6th century BC. The country is home to a wide variety of grape varieties, both indigenous and international. They are known for their freshness, acidity and minerality. They are often paired with Greek food, such as moussaka, souvlaki, and grilled fish. Greek wines are also becoming increasingly popular in the international wine market, and we are here for it.
This case will contain a selection of Greek white wines. These are typically made from grapes such as Assyrtiko, Malagouzia, and Retsina. They are all refreshing and dry, making them perfect for pairing with summer foods like grilled fish, salads and like fare. Additionally, red wines are not thought of as being ideal for hot weather, but there are actually many Greek red wines that are light and refreshing, making them perfect for quaffing on a warm day.
If you are looking for a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy Greek wine this summer, then our Curious Case is the perfect choice for you. We're confident you'll find something that you'll enjoy.
£90.00 per case
free delivery, or collect from the shop.
What's in it?
As usual the contents of The Curious Case remain a mystery until the end of the month. Nonetheless, we would like to offer some tantalizing hints to whet your appetite and ignite your inquisitive spirit. Are you curious?
Wine #1 - A light-bodied, fresh Greek red wine blend with notes of ripe fruits and sweet spice, best paired with poultry, meaty fish and charcuterie.
Wine #2 - A full-bodied, flavourful Greek red wine with notes of red and black fruits, black pepper, liquorice, spice, mocha, and leather.
Wine #3 - A small production, high-altitude, old-vine Savatiano from central Greece with ripe stone fruit aromas and a dry, crisp, and fresh palate.
Wine #4 - A zesty, crisp and characterful Greek white wine from Attica is made from Assyrtiko grapes and pairs well with fish, white meat dishes and salads.
Wine #5 - Full-bodied and floral Greek white wine made from Malagouzia grapes, perfect for pairing with souvlaki, Greek salads and seafood.
Wine #6 - Delicately aromatic and refreshing Vidiano white wine from Crete, perfect for pairing with Mediterranean cuisine, seafood or goat's cheese.
Monemvasia Winery, Voltes Red 2019
In a nutshell:
A light bodied and fresh blend native varieties, offering red fruit and sweet spice from Greece.
The lowdown:
The Monemvasia Winery was founded in 1997 with a clear objective: to revive the production of Malvasia wine in its birthplace. The Monemvasia Winery created the first privately owned 121 hectares of vineyard, planted with local varieties. Voltes is a blend of two native grape varieties: Agiorgitiko and Mavroudi. Both varieties are grown in Laconia, near Monemvasia, where the climate is warm and dry. The vineyard is located at an altitude of 200 meters, which offers cooler nights, resulting in balancing natural freshness. The two varieties were co-fermented, using classic red vinification techniques. Following careful sorting, the grapes underwent moderate maceration to extract the colour, flavour and fine tannins to impart structure. The wine went under brief maturation on the fine lees, which imbues the wine with texture and added complexity. This results in a wine that is light bodied and fresh, which offers ample notes of ripe red fruits with a hint of sweet spice.
When to drink:
A great wine to pair with poultry and meatier fish, or a charcuterie board.
Domaine Papagiannakos 'Erythros' 2019
In a nutshell:
A generously flavoured, ripe and fruity introduction to the classic Greek Agiorgitiko grape.
The lowdown:
Agiorgtkio is not easy to pronounce (try it this way 'Ah-yor-yee-te-ko') but is Greece's signature red grape and originates around Neméa in the Peloponnese. In this version from Domaine Papagiannakos it's been blended with around 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Each variety is vinified and aged for around twelve months in French oak before blending. The outcome is a broad and generously flavoured wine with fresh red and black fruits to the fore followed by flavours and aromas of black pepper, liquorice, spice, mocha and leather. The well integrated tannins give it a welcome touch of savouriness as it reaches the rounded, silky finish.
When to drink:
A delicious, stylish wine which is perfect for grilled meats as well as pizza and pasta.
Suitable for Vegans
Akriotou 'Orivatis' Old Vines Savatiano 2021
In a nutshell:
A small production, high altitude, old vine Savatiano from central Greece.
The lowdown:
Started in 2015 by Vassiliki Akriotou and a small vineyard at approaching 1000ft above sea level with 40-60 year old native Savatiano vines. Cold winters and humid summers all help to create a rounded, complex yet approachable wine. A true reflection of the Savatiano grape, and hard work.
When to drink:
Slightly aromatic on the nose with ripe stone fruit aromas lead onto a dry, crisp and fresh palate herby and earthy notes.
Suitable for Vegans
Domaine Papagiannakos Assyrtiko 2022
In a nutshell:
A zesty, crisp and characterful Greek white from just east of Athens on the Attican peninsula.
The lowdown:
Assyrtiko is one of the best Greek white wine varieties because it's able to keep a good level of acidity despite the hot climates it grows in. Its origins are on the volcanic island of Santorini, where a lot of good examples still come from, but this one, from the mainland near Athens, is absolutely top notch and suffused with all the bracing salinity and racy expected of this grape. Grown on unirrigated limestone soils near the Aegean coast harvest normally takes place towards the end of August. There's no oak ageing here; it's fermented and matured in stainless steel with time spent on its fine lees before 12 months maturation in bottle before release. It has fresh floral aromas of citrus, white blossom, wild orange and lime with more citrus flavours on the textured, mineral palate with a refreshing saline acidity.
When to drink:
While immediately enjoyable it also has ageing potential if kept. It makes a good partner to fish, white meat dishes and salads.
Suitable for Vegans
Domaine Papagiannakos 'Kalogeri' Malagouzia 2022
In a nutshell:
An appealing Greek white from an indigenous and increasingly fashionable grape variety.
The lowdown:
Malagouzia, the grape variety used here, had nearly disappeared until rescued from obscurity in the 1980s. It has since undergone something of a revival in Greece and there are now some excellent, fullish and floral wines, such as this from Domaine Papagiannakos, being made with it. The grapes are hand harvested before a gentle pressing and temperature controlled vinification which retains all the essential fruity and floral character. It's got ripe aromas of peaches and apricots on the nose that lead onto a soft and rounded palate that is full of ripe stone fruits, hints of pineapple and red apple. Fresh and bright throughout, it has a good length and pleasing sign off.
When to drink:
Finishing a nice touch of zestiness and lychee it goes well with souvlaki, greek salads and seafood.
Suitable for Vegans
Idaia Vidiano, Crete 2021
In a nutshell:
A delicately aromatic and fresh white from the Greek Island of Crete.
The lowdown:
Vidiano is a variety indigenous to this Agean island and this gorgeous example from Vasilis Laderos' and Calliope Volitaki's small winery really captures what it's all about. There are hints of ripe pear, melon and even a touch of banana coupled with a refreshing acidity which balances it all very well. The texture is firm with a bit of minerality, but the lasting impression is of a very generously flavoured wine with a pleasant herbal fragrance.
When to drink:
It's great with classically Mediterranean cuisine, seafood dishes, or goats cheese.
