Pair with grilled meats, game, mature cheeses or beef bourguignon.
Let's talk little, let's talk wine
Megali Petra , meaning "big rock," is a direct reference to Mount Enos, which rises to 1,628 meters above sea level and dominates the Ionian island of Kefalonia . On its steep slopes, at an altitude of 1,000 meters, the Mavrodaphne grapes grow on limestone soils, in an exceptional natural setting, to give birth to this red wine. The grapes are harvested manually, fermented with natural yeasts and aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months. This wine reveals notes of black cherry,plum,blackberry, forest fruits, sweet spices,black rock , black pepper and aromatic herbs. On the palate, the polished tannins and well-integrated material make it a smooth and elegant wine. The finish is persistent with blood notes.
Where are we traveling?
Kefalonia
Kefalonia is an island in the Ionian Sea, just off the west coast of Greece. It is the largest of the Ionian Islands, measuring about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from north to south. Like many of them, it is covered in mountain ranges, with its highest point reaching about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) above sea level. While the island enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate, the cooler environment of the higher slopes is important for the development of the grapes, which tend to lose acidity in warmer climates. Today, it has become a key location for Greek viticulture.
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!