At the table with Little Ark Red 2020
With this magnificent Greek red wine, we recommend lamb skewers with Provence herbs, marinated venison shoulder, moussaka, eggplant stuffed with beef or fine mature cheeses.
Our wines for
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Little Ark Red 2020Lantides
From the beautiful Peloponnese appellation, the Lantides estate is the project of oenologist Andrea Lantides and is now managed by his son Simon. The vines grow at an altitude of 650 meters on slopes with an inclination of 30°. Simon and his father take care to control the tannic contribution of Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko, 2 indigenous Greek grape varieties. To do this, they soften the tannins by aging this wine for 12 months in very high quality French barrels (of which they are also a distributor in Greece). On the palate, we find a multitude of aromas of black fruits, strawberries , black cherries , black plums , blackberries , licorice , cloves , black pepper , grilled vanilla and garrigue . It's rich without being excessive, the tannins are supple and velvety and give way to a long spicy finish.
Where are we traveling?
PeloponneseGreece
The Peloponnese
The Peloponnese lies in the southernmost part of mainland Greece. It is almost an island, as the region is joined to the mainland only by a narrow strip of land (less than 6 km wide at its narrowest point and less than 6 km long). Its complex shape and long coastline give it a varied topography. On the whole, the Peloponnese is mountainous, with seven peaks rising to almost 2,000 metres. The climate is essentially Mediterranean, with hot summers, short springs and long autumns. The region is subject to all kinds of influences: winds from the Aegean Sea, cold northerly winds and hot winds from Africa. The region has 7 sub-regions, or PDOs.
The sub-region: Nemea
The Nemea region lies in the north-eastern corner of the Peloponnese peninsula. The mountains and valleys around the small village of Nemea have produced wine for centuries. The region's wine is part of Greek mythology, linked to the story of the demigod Heracles, who was sent to Nemea to slay the famous "Nemean Lion". The Greek wine made in the region in ancient times was called the blood of Heracles, a name still associated with Nemea wines today. Altitude and prevailing winds create a cooler climate than you might imagine for an inland region of Greece. Winters are fairly cool, with plentiful rainfall in winter and spring. However, summers are hot and sunny, and autumn is long enough for the grapes to ripen well.
The little history of the country
Greece
Long known as small table wines, notably with Retsina, a white wine infused with pine resin, Greek wines have increased in quality over the last 20 years. The history of wine is as old as that of Greece. More than 3000 years ago, traces of the oldest grape presses in the world were found on the island of Crete.
After stagnation throughout the 20th century, Greek wines experienced a dazzling improvement from a quality point of view thanks to its entry into the European Union, the training of young oenologists in very good European schools and particular attention to international demand. She does not want to take the easy route by using mainly great French grape varieties such as Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon which would greatly facilitate export. Nowadays, Greece wants to continue to cultivate and introduce its ancient grape varieties, which number around 300 in the territory.
The very first thing to understand is that Greece is much more diverse in terms of climate than most people think. The country clearly has everything from arid Mediterranean islands to humid, mountainous pine forests that receive snowfall in winter. With such a diverse climate, you can expect Greek wines to be very varied as well. So, one of the best ways to get an idea of Greek wine is to divide the country into four overall wine-growing zones based on their climate: Northern Greece (humid climate), Aegean Islands (arid climate). ), Central Greece and Southern Greece (Mediterranean climate). The potential and reputation are greatly underestimated today in the eyes of the general public, which may bring pleasant surprises!
All about Little Ark Red 2020
At what temperature should Little Ark Red 2020 be served?
Between 16 and 18 °C. An hour in a decanter helps it open up.
How long can Little Ark Red 2020 be kept?
Ageing potential: 5 to 10 years, until around 2030. Store the bottle lying down, away from light, at around 12 °C.
Which grapes make up Little Ark Red 2020?
Grapes: 50% Xinomavro, 50% Agiorgitiko. Origin: Peloponnese, Greece. Alcohol: 14%.
What to serve with Little Ark Red 2020?
Little Ark Red 2020 pairs well with lamb, beef, soft cheese and hard cheese. Our dish ideas are in the food pairing box at the top of the page.