9 / 15 December
“On the ninth day of Christmas my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing
Eight maids-a-milking
Seven swans a-swimming
Six geese a-laying
Five gold rings
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree”.
Barafakas Neraides (Fairies) 2021
If there were just 3 white grape varieties to define Greek wine in the last 3 decades, these would be without doubt: Assyrtiko, for it power & general acclaim, Malagousia for its delicate beauty and typicity and Moschofilero for its unmistakable aromatic boldness and diversity of styles. What is also great is that they can blend beautifully together! In this wine, made to please, each variety contributes its aromatics & flavours on a slightly off dry background with a gentle awakening delicious fizz.
Neraides (Fairies in English translation) have the way to enchant! Body, aromas and a luscious balance of texture, acidity and that residual comforting sweetness, are all there to transport you to a tasting pleasure without complications. The perfumed nose, substantial palate and lingering finish are certain to permeate your mood and add to your friends & family gatherings that much needed festive feel. A sheer pleasure!
Grape Marc spirits of double distillation in traditional copper hambyques. From grapes grown in Macedonia, Greece. Elegant, expressively aromatic with unmistakable “identity”. Best finish to a long and versatile dinner or to be had as an aperitif.
For more than 20 years, with love, persistence, faith in organic cultivation and a spirit of creative experimentation, Nikos Afianes, a local Pharmacist, has been growing on the impressive granitic island of Ikaria the two local PGI grape varieties, Fokiano and Begleri. In the course of making wines from experimental vineyards at different altitudes and different microclimates on the Western part of the island, a few innovative styles have been created in a limited number of bottles from these two grapes. Nikos’ wines defend the term ‘fine’ with their elegance, unquestionable quality and development potential with time, whilst they remain anchored to traditional practices and totally pure without any technological intervention or additives.
Retsina has been made for over 2500 years. Wine shippers in those old days had to transport this sensitive product across the Mediterranean Sea and over long journeys, which could become even longer depending on weather conditions. In order to preserve it, they used Pine Resin to seal the carrying amphoras. They have then discovered that botanical aromas were transferred to the wines through the resin, enhancing thus the taste and extending the life of the product. Greeks have remained loyal to this refreshing taste to date!
