Few wine regions of the world have been as underrated as Greece. Although many in the wine trade have been extolling the virtues of Greek wine for years, the message has been slow to make a real impact in the UK. Yet this may be finally changing, as searching out under-the-radar regions has become one of the predicted wine trends this year.
Greek wines are excellent value for money - ideal given the current upward trend in the cost of living. Typically produced from local grapes, they also pair extremely well with many types of food. So, there's never been a better time to go Greek! However, tongue-twisting grape names can make it difficult to know where to start.
Nemea Winery has just launched a new signature collection showcasing the best of the Nemea and Mantineia wine regions. These wines have instant appeal from the clear labelling and competitive pricing through to the deliciously accessible flavour profiles.
Launched in 1985 and located on the Nemean plateau, Nemea Winery began as a small family business focused on supporting the region's many quality local wineries and producers.
The company selects the best grapes from the vineyards of the mountainous Peloponnese region and its two Protected Destinations of Origin (PDOs) - Nemea, on the central eastern side and Mantineia further west. Both these areas have a legacy of wine making that goes back thousands of years to classical antiquity.
The prevailing climate in the Peloponnese is mild Mediterranean. This is due to the favourable effect of the sea that surrounds the region and the cool winds from the mountain ranges of the central Peloponnese.
Nemea is the largest viticultural zone in Greece. Vineyards lie on semi-mountainous and mountainous terrains, either on the slopes or on the formed plateaus and valleys.
The area is home to one of the finest indigenous red grapes, Agiorgitiko. This variety produces many styles of wine, from high quality rosés to reds that are young and fresh or deep and rich with some ageing. Sweet and semi-sweet red wines are also made. The grape's strong aromatic profile produces wines that are often characterised by red fruit notes, such as ripe strawberries, along with blackcurrants and caramel. Aged wines can show aromas of jam or dried fruits such as figs, plums or raisins. Tannins are soft and evolve over time.
Mantineia is a plateau with an average altitude of 660 metres above sea level. The viticultural area covers over 1,000 hectares, mainly planted with Moschofilero, an intensely aromatic, floral white variety. The climate is relatively cool and rainy, resulting in a slow ripening of the grapes.
This collection showcases the signature style of Nemea Winery with a carefully chosen selection of four award-winning wines, made using the best grapes from the region's top vineyards. The new collection from Nemea Winery is now available for purchase in the UK from Bites of Greece.
For August, I wanted to showcase a refreshing white wine to suit the hot weather we've been experiencing and continue to face.
This delicious 100% Assyrtiko costs only £11.99 from Bites of Greece, which is terrific value for money! ABV is 13%.
Appearance: Bright, clear pale yellow with a very slight tinge of green.
Nose: Highly aromatic with notes of citrus and lemon verbena plus a sense of juicy, fleshy tropical and stone fruit.
Palate: Medium-full bodied and mineral with good acidity, a savoury edge and a fruity backbone of green apple, pineapple and dried apricot. A lick of citrus and sea salt plus a hint of rosemary add further freshening touches which endure on an impressively long finish.
Food pairing: This wine would stand up to many dishes, including fried fish, fish in creamy sauces, seafood and vegetarian risottos, white meat, vegetarian pasta salads.
