Aftorizo 2019

The Aftorizo ​​cuvée by Apostolos Thymiopoulos originates in the heart of the mountainous region of Naoussa, in Greek Macedonia, on the heights of the village of Fytia. The vineyard, planted with pre-phylloxera vines over 50 years old, lies on lean soils composed of schist and granite. Exposed to a temperate continental climate, with cool nights and sunny days, this unique plot culminates at an altitude of 450 meters. These ideal conditions allow for a slow and balanced maturation of the Xinomavro, giving birth to a confidential cuvée that fully expresses the singularity of a lively and pure terroir, in a profoundly original interpretation of the grape variety.

Vinification is carried out with the greatest respect for the raw material. The grapes, harvested manually at full maturity, are partially destemmed before being vatted without the addition of chemical yeasts, for spontaneous fermentation. Gentle maceration extends over around twenty days without mechanical extraction, in order to preserve the elegance of the fruit. Aging continues for 12 months in used 500-liter French oak barrels, which allow the purity of the grapes to freely express themselves without altering their identity. No fining or filtration is carried out before bottling, in the interest of absolute authenticity.

This wine reveals notes of black cherry , pomegranate , wild strawberry , ripe raspberry , dried rose , violet, wild herbs , leather , flint , blond tobacco and sweet spices . On the palate, the attack is lively, carried by a structuring acidity and tannins of rare finesse. The whole deploys an elegant, supple and taut substance, which extends into a saline, persistent and vibrant finish, revealing all the depth and personality of this great terroir wine.

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!