The Vineyards of Naoussa & Xinomavro, the noblest grape of the Greek North

 

 

 

 

The Protected Designation of Origin Naoussa (PDO Naoussa), reflecting the lush and varied vineyards of Naoussa, takes its name from the eponymous city, though several other communes are encompassed in the appellation. The wines of PDO Naoussa are 100% Xinomavro by law, and always red. In general, they are sturdy, tannic wines in youth and capable of long ageing. They are the most full-bodied of the Xinomavro appellations and offer a dazzling display of aromatic complexity, spanning the spectrum of the variety’s aromatic potential.

 

 

 

 

The lush and varied vineyards of Naoussa sit between 150 and 450m elevation and receive sufficient rainfall in most vintages to make irrigation unnecessary. Detailed soils analysis has been done, revealing significant differences within the region and at least 25 different soil types (of which 5 main categories have been established). The various expressions of the lush and varied vineyards of Naoussa arising in these sub-regions are already well known to growers in Naoussa, and discussions about officially recognizing them are underway, though for the moment the more tannic expression of the wines from the commune of Gastra, the softness of Trilofos, or the freshness and perfume of Yiannakohori for example, remain deep insider’s knowledge.

 

 

 

 

Xinomavro-Naoussa is unquestionably an intriguing, noble grape. The trouble is, it’s not an easy variety to work with, because it’s intricate. Unlike, say cabernet sauvignon or chardonnay that can grow just about everywhere and make at least decent quality wine, Xinomavro-Naoussa/Amynteo is highly sensitive to its environment. Like pinot noir, it reacts very differently in different terroirs. Xinomavro-Naoussa/Amynteo can be overly vigorous or struggle, depending where it’s grown. Winemaking and ageing need to be carefully considered as they can have a dramatic effect on the finished wine. In other words, it’s not easy to get Xinomavro-Naoussa/Amynteo right. But, as an intriguing, noble grape when it is right, it’s more than worth the trouble.

Xinomavro-Naoussa has been the subject of the most in-depth research of all the indigenous Greek varieties. More than twenty years of on-going studies have given winemakers the information they need to make consistently great wine from an intriguing, noble grape. And as the results of the research come fully to fruition, some of the traditional characteristics of Xinomavro-Naoussa will have surely have to be reconsidered. Laboratory studies of Xinomavro-Naoussa reveal what can easily be detected when tasting: Xinomavro-Naoussa is aromatically rich and complex, and particularly savory.

 

 

 Aromas recall medicinal herbs, clove, dried flowers/rose petals, pot-pourri, tobacco, tar, walnut, olive, sun-dried tomato and brown spice. Fruity aromas are often a secondary feature, with red berries (strawberry, cherry, raspberry) predominant, as well as kirsch and dried fruit (prunes, raisins) filling in the profile and adding complexity. All things considered, this is an aromatically well-endowed intriguing, noble grape. The profile of Xinomavro-Naoussa reflects its name; xino-mavro means literally “acid-black”. But while juicy acidity remains a standard feature of this intriguing, noble grape, the “black” part is a bit misleading. Traditional wines are invariably pale garnet-red in color, more like traditional pinot noir or Νebbiolo. But some of the new generation wines of Xinomavro-Naoussa may yet live up to the name mavro (black) again. These wines are bright and much deeper red in color. In any case, the wines of this intriguing, noble grape, are well-structured, firm, dense and vibrant.

 

NAOUSSA P.D.O. by

 

 

 

 

Xinomavro is also cultivated in other areas of Northern Greece, such as Goumenissa, Rapsani  & Amynteon where it is moslty blended with  other indigenous grape varieties ( Negoska, Krassato, Stavroto).
 

 

RAPSANI P.D.O. BY

 

 

 

texts taken from "the new wines of Greece"

REVEALING SAVATIANO - GREECE'S MOST WIDELY PLANTED WHITE GRAPE

 

 

 

 

Greece is the birthplace of  quite a few indigenous grape varieties from the notorious  white Assyrtiko to  the noble red  Xinomavro, but none of them hold the title of most planted grape in all of Greece.  That honor falls to the Savatiano grape, which is planted on about 50,000 acres of land throughout the country.

This may come as a surprise to many people, because it can be a little difficult to find wines made from the Savatiano grape.  Most wine shops around the world are starting to carry at least one Assyrtiko based wine and one Agiorgitiko, but Savatiano-based wines seem to be much more difficult to come by.  If these wines are so hard to find, then how is it that Savatiano is planted on so much land in Greece?  The answer could  be summed up in one word: Retsina! The top selling traditional wine of Greece!

if you ask me, there's nothing better than a bottle of good old chilled Retsina with loads of Greek - Mediterranean mezedes and a couple of good friends to share it...

Savatiano is the most commonly used grape for Retsina production, but since it is naturally low in acid, it is often bolstered by other high-acid white Greek grapes like Assyrtiko for better balance.  Savatiano is the grape of choice not only because of the quality of the finished product, but rather because it is also extraordinarily resistant to drought conditions, which can be severe in some regions of Greece.  

The region of Attica (which encompasses the peninsula around the city of Athens), where most Savatiano is grown has long, dry summers with very little rainfall.  It is not quite as arid as the desert conditions on the island of Santorini, but during the summer months, precipitation averages from around a tenth of an inch to less than half an inch between June and September, and many areas only average about 14 inches of rain per year.  

Savatiano not only endures in these conditions, but thrives in them.

Most of the Savatiano grown in Greece goes into Retsina production mostly by the large producers, but there are actually  some very good producers, who know how to handle Savatiano and they  make "regular", non-resinated dry wines from this wonderful  grape as well.

Mark a few names as your best option like Vassilis Papagiannakos, J. Boutari, Roxanne Matsa & Petros Nomikos and next time your apperite for a decent white wine leads you to the nearest liquor store, just look for a Savatiano, either in its varietal version or even blended with Assyrtiko...and remember my words!!

Yamas!!

 

 

VOLKAN BEER INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

 

 

 

 

      The spread of Volkan Superior Santorini Beers' sales in the global markets is growing at an admittedly impressive rate and wherever they have been introduced were immediately accepted.

 

       It is no coincidence that in just a few months, in some of the world's biggest beer markets, Volkan has already been accepted with a great success; countries with a long culture in the brewing industry such as Canada, Belgium, Australia, Holland, Czech Republic & Germany are now parts of our world distribution network; quite soon U.S.A. will follow as well as the U.K., Denmark, Sweden, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Japan, China & Cyprus.

       We are so proud to be the very  first microbrewery from Greece to be present in such a wide network and give the chance to the numerous beer lovers around the world to enjoy this unique product of the "blessed" Santorinian land... 

 

 

 

      For more information on your closest  Volkan Beer importer & distributor, you may directly contact us at : dseitanidis@gmail.com

 

 

Visit our official website to be initiated to the wonders of our Superior Santorini beers :

 

www.volkanbeer.com

 

 

 

 

ASSYRTIKO - SANTORINI GRAPE....THE UNDISPUTED "KING" OF THE GREEK WHITES

A S S Y R T I KO - SANTORINI GRAPE

 

The undisputed "king" of the Greek Whites

 

 

Assyrtiko's birthplace is the island of Santorini, a volcanic  island of a dramatic & breathtaking beauty - unique to the world -  located in the southern part of the Aegean Archipelago. Great poets have sung its praises, a 4.000 year old history. And the eternal rock continues to stand, strong and majestic, rising proudly from the sea and guarding well the secrets of Atlantis...

 

 

 

 

Assyrtiko-Santorini wines are rare and distinctive. These wines are born from the indigenous Assyrtiko grape, cultivated in some of the world’s oldest vineyards, dating back 3.500 years, on the volcanic island of Santorini, where nothing is ordinary! Assyrtiko-Santorini world class still dry whites can be drunk young or aged, as they are precious, truly ageworthy wines; the ideal complement to haute cuisine, fish, seafood and, surprisingly, even meat dishes. These terroir driven wines of distinct character are structured on exciting minerality and savorous density. They both reflect the unique volcanic and anhydrous soil of Santorini, which is an internationally acclaimed “pedigree”.

 

 

 

Assyrtiko is one of Greece’s most fascinating and unique indigenous grape varieties. When tasted blind, dry wines from Assyrtiko (PDO Santorini) are almost always said to come from a northerly climate. Yet its birthplace and favorite haunt is Santorini, a unique island of breathtaking beauty in the middle of the Aegean sea.

Assyrtiko does not at all have the usual profile of other hot climate varieties. It produces a dry white wine of distinctive character and great minerality, pleasant to drink young, but also very ageworthy. Most wines are unoaked, though some very good examples of oaked Assyrtiko are made and boast the same great ageing potential. 

 Very old vines, along with poor soils, hydric stress and strong winds, explain the extremely low yields of Assyrtiko as well as the dense structure and the opulency of its wines. Harvest is one of the two –hardly three– earliest in the country and usually starts at the beginning or in the middle of August.

This rare, ancient grape, Assyrtiko produces a world class wine that invites you to discover the unique volcanic terroir of Santorini.

 

Santorini’s unique eco-system

Santorini enjoys an ideal Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Rainfall is very low, and the little rain that falls on Santorini falls mostly in the winter. However, the porous soils of the island help retain humidity from dew, rainfall, and moisture from the sea, ensuring an adequate water supply for the vines during the growing season. As a result, Santorini’s unique ecosystem is a harmonious climate for its native grape, Assyrtiko. The grape has perfectly adapted to the local conditions and remains hearty during the warm, dry summers of Santorini.

The summer heat is made bearable by strong winds and cool sea breezes. This island in the middle of the Aegean sea is buffeted by winds from every direction which can pose a real threat to the vines. They are a threat to the vines not only because they bring the salt from the sea air and the sand from as far away as the North-African coast, but primarily because of their sheer strength. They have been known to blow down trellised vineyards in a matter of minutes. However, the dominant wind—known as Meltemi, a real danger to sailors—is actually quite beneficial for the vine. This cool wind blows from the north mostly during the growing season. The Meltemi is an integral part of Santorini’s unique ecosystem, helping to lower temperatures and allowing for slower ripening of the grapes.

The winds are also very beneficial in keeping typical vineyard scourges at bay. The constant circulation of air wards off rot and disease – keeping the vines healthy and protected. As a result, the winds, in combination with the low rainfall and volcanic soils, contribute to Santorini’s unique ecosystem.

The extremely low yields of Assyrtiko high quality wines are a natural result of the old vines, the volcanic soils, the hydric stress and the strong winds of Santorini’s unique ecosystem. They all contribute to the concentration and the richness of its wines. Indeed, the law allows yields of up to 55 hl/ha, but these are rarely, if ever, reached. An abundant harvest could turn in close to 40 hl/ha, but normal yields are closer to 20 hl/ha, often even dipping below 10 hl/ha.

 

A Classic Expression of the Assyrtiko grape  is

 

SANTORINI 2012  

by

"CANAVA PETROS NOMIKOS"

 

 ... one of the oldest wineries on the island of Santorini

 

 

 

 

For more information please contact us at : dseitanidis@gmail.com

 

 

Texts taken by "new wines of Greece"

 

 

 

The optimum summer feast....

 

To live the optimum summer feast, firstly.... you may pick a nice Restaurant or a traditional Taverna by the seashore on your nearest Greek Island (we have hundreds of them waiting for you)...

 

 

(.....where is that waiter?)

 

Start with the notorious Greek Salad (Horiatiki)...with loads of onions!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santorini Fava beans will warm you up...(still loads of onions, capers extra virgin olive oil and lemon)!!

 

Mydopilafo (Mussels with rice) is the  Greek "yummy" answer to those... ...Italian"risottos"

 

 

Htapodaki sta karvouna (Grilled Octopus) for the "Connoisseurs"...

Who can resist to....Kolokythakia tiganita me tzatziki ( fried zucchini with yogurt & garlic sauce) ??

 

 

...and Kalamarakia tiganita (fried kalamari) for the young sters and the elders !!!

 

 



 

Patates sto fourno (potatoes in the oven )...the Greek delicious "antidote" to French fries

 

Saganaki (Fried Feta cheese)....NO, it's not Japanese; it's totally Greek !!

 

 

Tzatziki (once again...because one tzatziki is never enough)!!

 

 

 

 

Gavros tiganitos (fried Anchovies) and... "Bring me those Spanish" !!

 

 

 

 

Your favorite Greek white wine (either the traditional Retsina or a fresh Moschofilero, a crispy Assyrtico, even  a seductive Malagouzia could really make the difference!)

 

 

Your Favorite refreshing Greek Beer....is ''Just lovely"!!

 

 

 

and the optimum summer feast is almost complete...

(...where is that blondie??)

BON APETIT &.... YAMAS !!

 

PS

For those who are stayin at home this summer, there's always the nearest Greek Restaurant to serve the purpose...


You may send us your location to dseitanidis@gmail.com and we will give you the coordinates of your nearest Greek restaurant !!