Idaia Winery has a philosophy reflected on quality wines’ production such as Hestia Mandilari 2019, a dry red wine fitted on Cretan culture.
| Style: | Dry Red wine |
| Variety: | 100% Mandilaria |
| Vintage: | 2019 |
| ABV: | 13% |
| Geographical indication: | P.G.I Crete |
Cretan Vineyard: The greatness of the wine tradition
The Cretan vineyard grants us very pleasant surprises in recent years. The wine tradition of 4000 years and the intensive modern effort to highlight the indigenous and the wider region’s varieties, brings to our glass exceptional results.
The international awards and the increasing volume of exports come to confirm the above but also to mark the continuous quality increase of the island’s wines.
With Crete being its homeland along with the islands of the Aegean, the red variety Mandilaria or Mandilari or Pariano or Amorgiano or Mavri Kountoura usually participates in blends, contributing with its deep red color to the wine’s chromatical improvement.
Idaia Winery from Venerato in Heraklion, Crete dared to recommend the single-variety version of Mandilaria in an effort that genuinely deserves our attention.
The first winemaking took place in 2019 with grapes coming from a privately owned vineyard in the famous area of Dafnes and at an altitude of 400-500 meters.
After the end of vinification, Hestia Mandilari 2019, matures for 12 months in French oak barrels of 225 lt , while it can remain in your cellar aging for the next six years.
Looking through the glass…
Hestia Mandilari 2019 has a deep red color.
The nose is evolving with moderately intense fruity and spicy aromas.
The ripe plum, raspberry, licorice, rosemary and dried flowers dominate, while in the background notes of vanilla and white pepper make their appearance, leaving animal hints to emerge and complete the convoluted whole.
Dry on the palate with moderate to high acidity, intense velvety tannins and medium to full body.
The aromas of the nose together with spice elements are constantly alternated, coexisting harmoniously with the controlled temperature of the alcohol (13% vol).
Intense and complex aftertaste that lasts but above all lets the formality of the variety emerge.
Food & Wine pairing tips
Let it breathe for at least 30 minutes in a decanter.
Hestia Mandilari 2019, will harmoniously accompany any premium cut of grilled meat, but it will also unfold its graces with traditional Greek gastronomy such as spentzofai, goat with orzo pasta in the oven, braised beef with plums or grilled village sausages.
The combination with a seared Rib eye and butter sauce is an excellent experience.
About the Author
Nikos Politis works in Efpan, a company importing Spanish wines- products and distribution network of Spanish and Greek wines.
Sommelier in Acropolis Chef’s Club of Attica.
He worked for a company exporting and distributing Greek wines in China.
He was employed in the exports department of Cantina Roeno, an Italian Winery based in Brentino Belluno, in Verona.
Studied in WSPC– Wine & Spirit Professional Center.
English (UK) 
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