Don’t skip over the Greek section of the wine list (or the Greek aisle in the wine store) just because you can’t pronounce the grapes. A few years ago, you probably didn’t know how to say Viognier or Grüner Veltliner, either. Santorini’s white wine Assyrtiko
Greek wines are extremely food friendly…and not just with souvlaki, spanakopita and tzatziki. I loved Santorini tomato fritters with the island's zingy Assyrtiko, but Greek wines work with a variety of cuisines.Their vibrant acidity, (typically) low tannins and approachable styles mean that you can enjoy them with a variety of dishes and styles of cooking. Try elegant, citrus-y Rhoditis with oysters, or with whole grilled fish with lemon and herbs; sip a rosé made from Agiorgitiko with roast chicken, picnic fare or appetizers; and serve a bottle of dense, dark, chewy Xinomavro with red meats and/or dishes in rich, heavy sauces.
If you like crisp, mineral-driven white wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Vermentino, then you have to add Assyrtiko to your wine rotation. The best versions are produced by the twelve wineries on the breathtaking island of Santorini, where the volcanic-ash and rock-based soils lend a slate-y, mineral quality to the wines. Recent vintages fermented in stainless steel, as well as ones that are lightly done in non-new oak, allow the wine’s vibrant acidity and citrus to best come through. But since Assyrtiko is such a high acid wine, you can also age it 5-10 years, during which time it gains a wonderful complexity, including Riesling-like petrol notes. Look for producers Sigalas, Argyros and Gaia.
Agiorgitiko is a very versatile red grape, capable of producing crisp rosés, light reds and more complex, oak aged, age-worthy bottles. I was incredibly impressed with the Agiorgitiko-based rosés, which have an enticing rose petal and strawberry aroma. They are also very balanced, with candied lemon peel acidity, and an alcohol level that remains in check and makes them super sipp-able during the warmer months. Agiorgitiko vinified as a lighter-style red reminds me of a high quality Beaujolais — juicy, fruity, easy on the palate and so appealing. Do as the Greeks do and lightly chill it, then enjoy it out on the deck or on a picnic. Oak fermenting and ageing the grape leads to wines that are multi-layered and savory, with hints of smoke, leather and herbs in addition to red fruit. These bottles can be laid down for years…if you can hold onto them that long. Domaine Skouras, Boutari, Domaine Tselepos and Mercouri are readily available. **If the label lists Saint George, remember that this is another name for Agiorgitiko.
If you dig floral-scented whites, reach for Moschofilero. One look at the grape’s name and you can see that it might share some similarities with Muscat. It produces highly aromatic white wines with rose, jasmine, and grapey scents, and can also have a touch of spice on the palate like a Gewürztraminer. Seek out bottles from Mantinia, which produces the highest quality offerings, like Domaine Spiropoulos and Erasmios.
Love big reds like Syrah? Then opt for Xinomavro. The Naoussa region in Macedonia in Northern Greece is the hotbed for these big, dense, dark wines, with aromas of black fruit, good structure, full body and ample tannins. They can also have aromas of sun-dried tomatoes and spices, giving them a mouthwatering savory quality. Domaine Karydas, Uranos and Foundi are good bets.
In my experience, tourists drink Ouzo; natives instead sip Tsipouro or Raki. The latter are Greek versions of grappa, distilled from the pomace — what’s left of the grape after it’s been crushed and pressed during wine production. They are enjoyed with meze (small plates,) or as a shot after a large meal (perhaps as we did, before some traditional Cretan dancing — on Crete the spirit is called Tsikoudia.) Tsipouro and Raki are potent, but I also found them to have a softness on the palate about them that made them addictive to sip, especially chilled.
While Greek winemakers are blending their indigenous grapes with international varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, it can be much more fun to experience the wines by themselves. After all, you can find these international varieties all over the world. I find it much more interesting to sip the stuff that’s been planted and made for thousands of years. Yamas! (Cheers) (Source: Wine Business June 2012)