Dear Feastlings,
People often think of France as wine’s home, and of ancient Rome as wine’s birthplace, but they forget that it was Greeks who brought viticulture to Italy. This month, we’ll open up six wines from Greece and Turkey, and it’s an exciting opportunity: You’ll taste varietals you seldom see in the U.S., from the birthplace of viticulture, all excellent food wines that don’t carry the price tags of the more fashionable appellations of Bordeaux, or Barolo, or Napa. If it sounds fun and educational to you, please give us a call at 326-9363 and make a reservation. The tasting will take place this Sunday, October 25, at 3:30 pm, will cost $30 plus tax and tip, and will include a small dish paired with each wine. We hope you can join us.
Greece and Turkey
2013 Turasan Emir, Anatolia $17.00
Emir thrives in Cappadocia’s volcanic soils and benefits from its unique micro-climate: high altitude, hot days and cool nights. The nose has notes of citrus peel and white flowers along with pears and fennel pollen. On the palate it comes across as balanced, bright and lively with refreshing floral and Meyer lemon flavors and ending with a mineral note that is rounded out from the sur-lies aging.
2010 Kavur Vineyards “Gali” Evereshe ( Dogan Arslan/Gelibolu), Gallipoli Peninsula $27.00
Gali wine is made with minimal manipulation, both in the vineyard and at the winery. Gali 2010 has a balanced structure, with intense black fruits and acidity giving lots of depth to the wine along with a long finish. Gali 2010 shows subtle oak, with bold flavors. On the palate, Damson plum up front with vanilla notes and bold tannins on the finish. Enjoy over the next ten years.
2012 Diren Öküzgözu, Anatolia $17.00
Founded in 1958, Diren’s focus has largely been on indigenous varietals. The 2012 Öküzgözü incorporates Cabernet Sauvignon but mostly highlights the native mid-eastern Anatolian grape – Öküzgözü. This grape typically produces medium-bodied wines with ripe fruit and spice flavors with plenty of acidity. This wine is lively and structured and due to its forward character can be enjoyed year round. In 2012, a hot summer was followed by a cool, dry harvest allowing for long hang-times. Excellent structure, aromatics and balance are a hallmark of the vintage.
2013 Alpha Estate Axia Red (Syrah/Xinomavro), PGI Florina $21.00
Splendid, purple red color. Complex, typical bouquet of spices (vanilla, pepper, clove), with hints of ripe blackberry. Full mouth, with vanilla aroma, rounded tannins, balanced acidity and wood tones. Long finish with intense quince aroma.
2010 Douloufakis Dafnios Red (Liatiko), PDO Liatiko $16.00
Deep, concentrated berries (and very, very low yields) from the family’s 80- to 100-year-old vines place this Julienas heads and tails above the pack. A mix of Burgundian spices and truffles blends with raspberries and blueberries a la Chambertin on the aromatic, expressive nose. Juicy and richly structured, with notes of milk chocolate with cream underneath a festival of black raspberries, cherries and purple plums. Notes of fresh ginger, black pepper and more baking spices appear on the finish. An outstanding selection from this micro-estate; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
2008 Domaine Skouras Grande Cuvée (Agiorgitiko), Nemea $30.00
A classic, pure Pinot Noir chock-full of fresh red berry fruit and silky tannins. Aromas remind of ripe summer berry compote, mixing red raspberries, juicy blueberries and sweet strawberries. On the palate, flavors of black cherries and black raspberries dominate, with hints of pepper and baking spices.