Artisans Vignerons de Naoussa Xinomavro 2022

This Xinomavro comes from certified organic vineyards spread throughout the Naoussa appellation, in northern Greece, on the foothills of Mount Vermio, in Imathia. The vines, 25 years old on average, are planted at up to 400 metres on limestone soils over a granite and schist subsoil. The warm continental climate, with cold winters, and the mountain breezes encourage slow ripening of this demanding grape variety.

The harvest runs from 19 September to 10 October. Maceration lasts 25 days, and fermentation, with native yeasts, is completed in one to two months. The wine is then aged for 12 months in used 500-litre oak barrels, which refines its tannins while respecting the expression of the terroir.

This wine reveals notes of sun-dried tomato, tapenade, sour cherry, raspberry, plum, oregano, clove and forest floor. The very classic bouquet combines saline nuances with red fruit of great clarity. The palate, straight and almost linear, rests on firm tannins, vibrant acidity and a persistent finish with red-fruit accents.

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!