Wines of Greece – A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity

RKS 2024 Wine: Greek Wine from Monemvasia Winery

The 2014 Monemvasia Red is a blend of 90% Agiorgitiko and 10% Mavroudi. We do see some Agiorgitiko in Canada but Mavroudi is a grape I am not familiar with. In Greek, at least that which I am familiar with, “mavros” means black. It is no surprise that Mavroudi grapes are nearly black in colour.Continue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: Greek Wine from Monemvasia Winery”

RKS 2024 Wine: A Nemea Agiorgitiko Reserva From Seméli in Greece

There is a lack of “knock out of the park” Greek red wines flowing into Canada. They are obviously out there somewhere and at this point stuck in Greece. We valiantly try again with a 2017 Nemea Agiorgitiko Reserva. Aroma: Rigid and tight. Blackberry, black cherry, cherry pie and dark chocolate. Palate: Very wound upContinue reading “RKS 2024 Wine: A Nemea Agiorgitiko Reserva From Seméli in Greece”

RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?

Greek white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape may be leading the charge for “the white wine” of Greece. Santorini with its volcanic terroir is the most famous producer of wines made from Assyrtiko but prices are high for these Santorini wines. Mega Spileo in the Achaia region of Greece produces a more affordable Assyrtiko.Continue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Greek Up n Comer: Assyrtiko?”

RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece

Aroma: Blackberry, cassis, black cherry and blueberry in a somewhat stiff format. Palate: The tannins creep up on you with this wine. The fruit is there but wound up in a tight boundary giving the impression of either a young or stylistically austere wine. Almost a juicy streak of red cherries bubbling up threatening toContinue reading “RKS 2023 Wine: Agiorgitiko from Greece”

RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine

In Ontario Riesling and Vidal icewines, particularly Riesling icewine, can cost a pretty penny but given the conditions harvested in and the very concentrated juice extracted from frozen grapes it is understandable that icewine is a luxury product. A cost effective and delicious alternative to icewine is Vin Doux from the Greek island of SamosContinue reading “RKS Wines: A Greek Alternative to Ice Wine”

RKS Wine: Greek Cabernet Sauvignon: More to Greek Red Wine than Xinomavro

I curl up in a ball of apprehension when Greek Xinomavro’s are released. They are dry and astringent like an immature Barolo but give an Xinomavro 8 years in the bottle my apprehension melts as it has aged as it should. By the way a sparkling Xinomavro can be a real treat. As for GreekContinue reading “RKS Wine: Greek Cabernet Sauvignon: More to Greek Red Wine than Xinomavro”

RKS Wines: To Canadians (and the world) There is More Than Icewine!

To many Canadians the ultimate “dessert wine” might be Icewine from Niagara. It is awfully good but correspondingly expensive. There are alternatives at a more friendly price point that are not “copies” of Icewine but similar on the “sweet scale” and cheaper. For example, there are the legendary sweet white wines from the Northern AegeanContinue reading “RKS Wines: To Canadians (and the world) There is More Than Icewine!”

RKS Wines: Frightened by the Unknown Malagousia

My bet is that many wine drinkers are frightened by grapes they rarely encounter. Always sticking to the same wines made with the same grapes dulls the mind. Sameness equals boredom but that’s me and may not be you. Could you imagine having pork chops, mashed potatoes and peas for dinner every night. What wouldContinue reading “RKS Wines: Frightened by the Unknown Malagousia”

RKS Wines: The Inexpensive Greek: Nemea 2016 Reserve; My Brush With Celebrities!

Most of my time in Greece has been spent on the Aegean Island of Samos south of Lesvos and just off the Turkish coast. Samos produces absolutely world class sweet Muscat wines some of which are fortified. Over the past few years the United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos has tried to create a brandContinue reading “RKS Wines: The Inexpensive Greek: Nemea 2016 Reserve; My Brush With Celebrities!”