Cava: Revealing the next 5 wine labels for your wine box

5 wine labels from the Greek vineyard that will hold a dominant place in your cava transferring both terroir and flavors of the Greek land.

ALS Extreme Terroir

Salt…Aegean…Taste! Three powerful characteristics of an island with absolutely “extreme” character as well as a microclimate that ultimately seduces the palate of any wine lover.

The Santoric Land with its unruly and volcanic “spirit” welcomes at the table one of the most noble wines with exceptional complexity and fine taste. The label “Als” has already made a debut versatile as versatile is additionally the “Assyrtiko” variety from which it was created 100%.

At the highest point of Imerovigli nestles one of the most renowned vineyards of Santorini, that of a cavalier. From this charismatic plot receives Αls its fruit with the team of Extreme Terroir to attend the old vines with respect and experience since every one of them carries over 20 grapes at the island. Als is a an authentic 100% Assyrtiko from vines with an average age of over 100 years with its selection fruit to be of absolute importance.

The light bright pale yellow color that characterizes this particular wine along with the typical flavors of the leading Santorini variety in their noblest versions “whispering” a remarkably culinary wine miracle.

Its mineral and herbal aromas on the nose along with the amazing acidity that provides a distinctive “nerve” in the mouth orchestrate the most Santorini “extreme” wine pleasure. “Als” has a long aftertaste “smart” while the creamy texture as well as the marvellous bursts of butter they ultimately characterize every sip. Among the vineyards of 40 acres, “Als” is envisioned with volcanic aura and a versatile character that radiates nobleness and class. But above all, exudes the very essence of Santorini…in your glass and your own cava.

Theros

Theros is a love story that resides within us. Summer and love. These are two words that meet in the same neighborhood and have common denominator, a human. Somehow, Theros was conceived by the winemaker Konstantinos Manouras, connecting the wine, with love, summer and harvest. Theros has Crete as a point of reference and highlights the dynamics of this place with thousands of years of viticultural history.

The effort is focused on capturing the special anaglyph of Crete in the glass and the route of the grape, 365 days under the sun. So far Theros – Wines Collectiva acquires two labels on its agenda, the white one, a co-vinification of Plyto and Thrapsathiri and the Rosé,  produced from 100% Liatiko. This year, two other labels will be added to the potential of the brand, the one from Vidiano with Plyto and the latter from 100% Assyrtiko.

XMF – low intervention 2020, Tselepos wines, Red 750ml

The name Yiannis Tselepos is associated with the wine-producing region of Mantineia and Moschofilero variety as it has been highlighting its potential for 30 years in a row. The new generation of the winery, his son Aris, on the lookout  of new paths for Moschofilero, produced an original and distinctive wine with an amazing expression of the variety.

XMF (Experimental Moschofilero) originates from selected grapes of the privately owned vineyard of Perpatiara Estate at an altitude of 760 m, harvested at maximum ripeness levels. After their collection, the grapes are transferred to a stainless steel tank, where remain together with the stems and the extraction takes place without any added sulfites. Alcoholic fermentation commences spontaneously from indigenous yeasts. The wine is subsequently aged in clay amphorae for about 6 months and bottled unfiltered. Basic principle of the production process is the vinification with the absolutely necessary and mild interventions, in “orange” style.

The end result is a wine with a deep pink, borderline red color with orange highlights and a character reminiscent of natural wine. The tension but also the quality of its fruit, the complexity, the quality of the tannins, its acidity but also the fact that it has evolved nicely in the bottle for two years, create an irresistible set that will win over even the most ‘discerning’ palate including it at your home-made cava.

On the nose, florals dominate aromas especially of rose, aromas of truffle, quince, dried red fruits as well as botanicals. The mouth is full with balanced acidity and soft tannins transfusing structure and duration. It ages from 3 to 5 years and the production is approximately 1000 bottles.

Retsina 2303 Bio, Ktima Nikolaou

Αsteroid 2303 gets the name retsina because of the love of the astronomer Paul Wild for Greek nature and traditional products. The first attempt of Ktima Nikolaou for the production of an organic retsina of mild interventions united Roditis and Savvatiano with the resin from the pine forest Geranio, granting a modern, elegant and highly gastronomic approach. The rounded character and balanced acidity that is imparted by remaining with the lees in French oak barrels, are harmoniously combined with traditional Greek cuisine.

Αdrestea, Akritos Oinos Winery

Adrestea means inevitable. When in a land there is such a combination of many advantages, unique features and peculiarities, it is inevitable not to be created something exceptional… just like the red dry wine from Akritos Oinos, which goes by the name “Adrestea”.

The ancient variety, the highly promising Chidiriotiko, is ‘accountable’ for the creation of this particular wine, which gives something robust but at the same time something aristocratic. Planted mainly in semi-mountainous volcanic vineyards, where the microclimate does wonders in combination with a traditional vinification exclusively with native yeasts manages to tempt both wine lovers and connoisseurs alike.

With a bright red color makes its appearance in your glass holding a special place in your home-made cava and with an intense nose and an impressive mouth.  You will distinguish a medium body with flavors of raspberry, pine, herbs and smoke making a strong impression and suggesting an excellent aging procedure. High acidity, sonorous tannins and high alcohol are in excellent balance while your aftertaste is mineral due to the volcanic soil.

• Wine Bars: Wine tasting in the “shadow” of the Acropolis
• Konstantinos Lazarakis MW
• 5 Greek wine varieties & food pairing tips
• Kourtis Estate, Xinomavro 2017, PGI Pieria
• Winemaker Stelios Galanos speaks about Chidiriotiko

Related posts:

Nikolou winery, Savatiano Fine Lees 2019 Cuvée 15, Hatzidakis winery Olive Oil Experience Santorini Boutari & Chefs’ stories in Santorini