I have been wanting to return to North Greece Wine Country since my wine travels there in 2015 and 2016. Last month I was most fortunate to arrive in Greece before our 10th Winelover Anniversary celebrations. Even on a tight schedule I just had to return to Naoussa in North Greece. According to legend Semele, mother of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility, called the area home. She certainly knew that the wines are good here.
I could not resist returning because during that earlier visit I not only discovered great wines, but also the beauty of this wine region. Given my tight schedule I decided to focus primarily on Naoussa. The Naoussa Appellation was the first Greek wine region to be made an official appellation in 1971. Wines produced in this appellation are required by appellation law to be made from 100% Xinomavro. Yes, that noble indigenous red grape variety, Xinomavro has generated lots of excitement since my visit in 2015. Moreover, some producers make wines from the international grape varieties, such Merlot and Syrah. These wines because of appellation law, are marketed under the Macedonia PGI label. Clearly, there have been many exciting wine developments in North Greece since my earlier visits.
An Evening in Thessaloniki
After a short flight from Athens we arrived in Thessaloniki. I attended a blind wine tasting of North Greece wines in Thessaloniki before traveling onto Naoussa.
Port of Thessaloniki © Spaswinefood
I was excited to attend a wine tasting at the Mediterranean Palace Hotel hosted by the Winemakers of North Greece. I was not disappointed.
Here I became re-acquainted with Alexandra Anthidou, Events Cordinator, Media, and PR for Winemakers of North Greece.
There was a wide range of North Greece wines to taste.
Blind Wine Tasting, Thessaloniki © Spaswinefood
I have fond memories of the amazing hospitality of North Greece.
Indeed I have fond memories of the wines and that evening in Thessaloniki. A hit for me was definitely the 2018 Blanc de Noir Xinomavro, PGI Imathia. I also got to meet the oenologist who made the wine.
Chatting with the Oenologist, Thessaloniki © Spaswinefood
A Brief Return to Naoussa
Naoussa was an absolute delight to revisit in late spring.
Naoussa Wine Country © Spaswinefood
This was an inviting line-up of wines showcased the wide range of Xinomavro wines produced at Kir-Yianni. While at Kir-Yianni we also enjoyed a very delicious lunch in their restaurant.
Late Spring, Kir-Yianni © Spaswinefood
Kir-Yianni, Naoussa Wine County © Spaswinefood
Domaine Foundi
Domaine Foundi is located 4km outside of Naoussa. It is a small family winery that has been producing wine since 1992. Their focus is on producing quality Xinomavro wines.
I loved these Xinomavro wines. A new discovery for me was their demi-sec Xinomavro Rosé wine.
One of my take aways from North Greece this time was the amazing range and diversity of Xinomavro wines (both PDO and PGI) available.
Before Leaving Thessaloniki
More on North Greece wines
Special thanks to Alexandra for advising us in our North Greece travels. Alexandra also shared Wines of North Greece during a dinner for #winelovers on the rooftop at Manouka Restaurant. This is the perfect place to enjoy wines with great views of the Acropolis. We arrived at 8:30 pm to take in the sunset. While the clouds blocked out the sunset the ever changing views of the Acropolis were stunning.
Acropolis, Athens © Spaswinefood
Manouka Restaurant, Athens, Greece © Spaswinefood
All winelovers had great views and wines that evening.
Winelovers, Manouka Restaurant, Athens © Spaswinefood
Acropolis from the Manouka Restaurant Roof Top © Spaswinefood
Hard to beat this setting for a glass of wine from Northern Greece. Travelers in Northern Greece should note:
Today, there are 29 members in the Association and 8 routes that cross the whole of Northern Greece, with suggested stops at 32 notable wineries of Thessaly (Rapsani and Krania), Epirus, Macedonia and Thrace. Signage along the roads directs travelers to vineyards, wineries and other points of interest. (Wine Roads of North Greece)
Naoussa is one of these eight routes.
#wineloverAnniversary2022 #SeeYouInGreeceWL #winelover #GreeceWinelover #SeeYouInGreece
Earlier Travels on the Naoussa Wine Road (October, 2015)
One of our stops was Kir-Yianni. What a fabulous first-hand introduction to Naoussa's Wine Road it was. After all I had come to see why Xinomavro is on Fire.
 |
| Kir-Yianni Vineyard, Naoussa 2015 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Kir-Yianni Estate Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Kir-Yianni Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Ready to Taste Kir-Yianni Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Ready to Taste Kir-Yianni Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Let's Explore Kir-Yianni Wines © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Lunch, Kir-Yianni © Spaswinefood |
Soon it was time to continue on our Northern Greece wine safari. I wish I could have stayed longer.
 |
| Kir-Yianni, Naoussa © Spaswinefood |
Is Xinomavro on Fire?
A few days later in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, as part of a master class entitled Xinomavro on Fire, I would get to re-taste two familiar Xinomavros. These two Xinomavros were included in the group of six chosen to represent Naoussa. They were 1) Kir Yianni, Ramnista XinoMavro, PDO Naoussa 2008 and 2) Boutari, 1879 Legacy Xinomavro Single Vineyard, PDO Naoussa 2007.
 |
| Xinomavro On Fire, #DWCC15 © Spaswinefood |
No comments:
Post a Comment