Mavrodaphne of Patras : The "Up & Coming" Greek indigenous grape variety

Apart from Greece’s world-renowned and distinguished grapes e.g. Assyrtiko of  Santorini, Moschofilero of Mantinea, Agiorgitiko of Nemea  and Xinomavro of Naoussa, Amynteo and Rapsani —there are several "new", up-and-coming grape varieties which depending on the type and style of wine they yield, show impressive potential and seem to be but a step away from having themselves acclaimed and established in worldwide wine affairs. 

Among these up-and-coming grape varieties is some of established status which is now being approached from new angles. Mavrodaphne is an example of such a variety. Although well-known and long-established as Greece’s native variety for the production of sweet fortified wines, its vinification for the production of dry red wines is a relatively uncharted yet quite promising territory which firmly re-classifies Mavrodaphne as being among the up-and-coming grape varieties. 

Mavrodaphne grapes

The "CLASSIC"  MAVRODAPHNE OF PATRAS by George Karelas 

• With the already established flagships of the Greek vineyard in the vanguard, wines produced from up-and-coming grape varieties offer wine lovers many reasons to branch out toward them. For one thing, they offer something new, uncommon, and rare, far from the established wine regime. For another, they offer the potential for exploration, a prospect that never fails to stir the heartstrings of wine lovers. After all, is there anyone who is averse to tasting a wine today that tomorrow may become a new and irresistible center of attention?

the new PELAGOS by George Karelas

(Dry Mavrodaphne & Merlot)

VOLKAN SUPERIOR SANTORINI BEERS IN HOLLAND

Especially for our numerous friends in the Netherlands, below is the complete coordinates of Volkan beers' official importer & distributor !

Tsantos Import-Export B.V. (groothandel in Griekse producten)

Tsantos Import-Export B.V. is een Import & Export bedrijf voor food & non-food producten uit Griekenland. Het bedrijf is op 1 januari 1998 opgericht door de twee broers K. Tsantos en D. Tsantos. Als leveranciers van Griekse producten leveren we aan Griekse restaurants, eethuizen en supermarkten in heel Nederland.

Groothandel voor de horeca

Tsantos Import-Export B.V. is een moderne groothandel voor de horeca. Het werkgebied is heel Nederland.

Tsantos Import-Export B.V. biedt u als totaalleverancier een uniek en compleet pakket food en non-food producten aan. Het uitgebreide assortiment bevat bijna alles wat horeca en kantines nodig hebben. Leveringen worden franco bezorgd op het door u opgegeven adres. Bestellingen kunnen 24 uur per dag worden doorgegeven en worden op vaste dagen in de week bezorgd. Alles onder één dak, alles in één hand.

Tsantos B.V.

Vijfhuizenberg 72 E-F

4708 AL  Roosendaal

Tel. 0165 - 56 50 84

Fax. 0165 - 56 13 87

Email: info@tsantos.nl

VOLKAN BEERS INTERNATIONAL

                VOLKAN -   THE FIRST BEER BORN IN SANTORINI 

Originated from the beautiful  cycladic island of Santorini and named afer the notorious volkano, Volkan Superior beers being specially designed, are destined to "conquer" beer enthusiasts from all over the world and it is no coincidence that in just a couple of years Volkan Superior Santorini Beers are available in 15 countries in Europe, North America, Australia & Asia.

www.volkanbeer.com 

BREAKING NEWS : THE GREEK LARDER RESTAURANT & FOOD STORE OPENS ITS GATES AT KING'S CROSS LONDON UK

My words might seem rather biased speaking about the excellent Greek chef - and a dear friend of mine - Theodore Kyriakou and his new masterly planned endeavour by creating the "Greek Larder Restaurant & Food Store" which actually opens its gates this evening (October 31st, 2014) in the heart of London at King's Cross, so the least I can do for all of you my good friends in UK, is to urge you going there at first chance and savour authentic tastes of the European South -  dressed up in a "gourmet" outfit "ma non troppo" - harmoniously blended with an unprecedented hospitality Theo knows very well at a beautifully decorated environment ... and the rest is yours to discover!!!

www.thegreeklarder.co.uk 

VIN DE LIQUER by ESTATE MANOLESAKIS

1.000 (375ml)  Bottles of a "sweet" Merlot like no other......

ANASTASIA ROSE by ESTATE MANOLESAKIS

Named after Stavros Manolesakis' youngest daughter, Anastasia is a beautifully balanced semidry rose wine made of selected Cabernet Sauvignon grapes of the Estate.

Stavros' original idea was to create a wine with specific "feminine" characteristics in order to approach newcomers to the world of wine and especially women who mostly appreciate fresh and aromatic wines with a touch of sweetness and it is no coincidence that Anastasia became one of the hits of the past 2 summers wherever it was available.

Next time you find yourselves either somewhere in Greece or at your nearest Greek restaurant, ask for a glass of chilled Anastasia and remember my words!

For more information on Estate Manolesakis distribution network, you may contact us at : dseitanidis@gmail.com 

RECIRES WITH MAVRODAPHNE OF PATRAS

Mavrodaphne of Patras, beyond an excellent  red dessert wine, it is used by the chefs as an ingredient on various recipes as well as for the preparation of exquisite sauces.

We have picked one recipe & one sauce so you can easily make them at home and surprise your guests at your next gathering.

Pork fillet with pleurotus mushrooms and Mavrodaphne

A great combination of Mavrodaphne, cream, pleurotus mushrooms and pork meat. Accompany it with rice or if you feel really hungry with nice pasta like papardelle! 

Ingredients:

• 1 Pork fillet, sliced 
• 1 / 2 kg Plevrotus mushrooms 
• 1 / 2 cup olive oil 
• 2 medium onions, 
• 2 carrots, sliced 
• 1 green pepper 
• 1 red pepper 
• 250 ml Cream 
• 1 / 2 tsp Cayenne pepper 
• 1 1 / 4 cup Mavrodaphne 
• Salt 
• Freshly ground pepper 

Preparation:

1. Sauté the onions and carrots in a big pan. Add the peppers and continue to sauté until vegetables are soft.

 
2. Add the meat and sprinkle with the cayenne and freshly ground pepper. Allow the meat to brown on both sides.

3. Finish with 3 / 4 cup Mavrodaphne and cook over low heat until the alcohol evaporates.

4. Remove the meat and vegetables and place the mushrooms in the pan at higher heat. The plevrotus mushrooms will release many fluids; leave them as long as it takes for the fluids to evaporate.

 
5. Add the rest of the Mavrodaphne and lower the heat.

 
6. After 3 minutes add the meat with the vegetables and continue for another 2-3 minutes.

7. Finally add the cream and continue cooking for another 3 minutes for the sauce to become firm.

Mavrodaphne Barbecue sauce

Ingredients

• 1 small glass of Mavrodaphne
• 3/4 cup of  sugar
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce or salt
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce or grated pepper
• 6 cloves of garlic finely chopped or 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 green onions, chopped or 3 tablespoons chopped onion

Preparation

Pour the Mavrodaphne in a saucepan and add the sugar while stirring at low heat.
when the sugar melts, add the rest of the ingredients.
The result is a sweet delicious dark sauce like the one used in Chinese fried lamb chops (Chinese spareribs) 

The sauce is suitable for all kinds of meat, goes perfectly though  with pork & lamb.

An alternative Mavrodaphne-based sauce is the one known as “Mavrodaphne sauce” consisting of mayonnaise, sugar, soy sauce, salt, hot sauce garlic and onion. 

MAVRODAPHNE OF PATRAS by GEORGE KARELAS