Staff Pick Greek Wines
Agiorgitiko “Red on Black” Neméa, Mitravelas – 2023 $16.96
Nemea is not only one of Greece’s most important wine regions, it is one of the oldest. In fact, Agiorgitiko wine from Nemea gets a shout out from Homer himself. That’s how much history is behind the wine in this bottle. Founded in the early 1900s by two brothers, the Mitravelas winery is the oldest modern winery in Nemea and is still family run. They bottle under two labels: Mitravalas Estate and the Red on Black. While some wines made with Agiorgitiko can age for decades this is a wine meant to be drunk young. It’s an easy going, sippable wine with bright red fruit upfront and a hint of earthiness. Some fine, rustic tannins make this a great pair with grilled octopus or chicken. Serve slightly chilled. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Moschofilero, “Hoof & Lur”, Troupis Winery – 2023 $18.99
Maybe it’s too early for rosé, but I was in the mood for something similar, so with summer on my mind, I reached for this. Moschofilero is a pink-skinned, aromatic grape variety grown on Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula. It’s tart and juicy, with notes of rhubarb, cherry, and dried orange that grow more expressive with time in the glass. The Troupis family has a long history of work in agronomy, where vines, fruit trees, and flowers have been grown and sold from their nursery in Mantinia. As with other traditional Greek families who make wine for their own table, their efforts naturally grew into the desire to share their passion with others. If you’re looking to get into Greek wines, or looking for an alternative to the same old rosés, give this one a shot, and think of summer. – Simon Gouldstone, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
Retsina, “Pitys Ritinitis”, Troupis Winery – NV $19.99
Time, place, perspective, expectation–these all affect our impressions of wine. Change one of these elements, and, like a twist in a kaleidoscope, it’s a whole new experience. To my mind, it’s always good to shake things up, test the structural integrity of your biases, and see if you won’t be pleasantly surprised. Such was the case with this Retsina, a wine style I previously spurned. Troupis Winery, however, has changed the game. Made with Assyrtiko, the crisp minerally white from Santorini, aged on the skins, and bottled unfiltered, this wine completely disrupts the category. It’s bright, refreshing, and textural, with ginger, tangerine, and grapefruit notes. Think ginger beer, but wine. Pair this with sushi and prepare to be astonished. – Amy Miller, Sales Manager
Limniona Rosé, Dom. Zafeirakis – 2024 $21.96
Since taking over his family winery in 2005, Christos Zafeirakis has been a vanguard in bringing attention to the PGI Tyrnavos region of Central Greece. The first thing he did was to plant his first organic vineyard in the estate. In 2007, he made the region’s first monovarietal wine of Limniona. In 2019, he began the process of converting to biodynamic farming. Here is a rare rosé that actually names its grape. The wine has the fresh, fruity flavors that always attracts us to rosé, yet its weight, concentration, minerality, and a silky, slick texture commands thought. You’ll taste red berries with hints of hard candy, maraschino, and savory herbs. Enjoy with Saganaki. – Chung Park, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant
“Vorias & Helios”, Roditis, Markogianni – 2022 $23.96
This organic orange wine made from the Roditis grape is named after Vorias (Greek god of the north wind) and Helios (Greek god of the sun), which makes sense after reading about the care and consideration that winemaking brothers George, Konstantinos, and Dionysios take when it comes to the terroir and respecting the environment. Located near Ancient Olympia, Markogianni winery focuses on indigenous grapes and respecting the rare terroir conditions surrounding the semi-mountainous region. There is a permanent breeze to help grapes ripen perfectly, and being right by the Alpheus River (shoutout to the river god of the same name) helps to regulate conditions. The result is a beautiful and expressive natural wine – floral, nutty, and even a bit of funky brine on the palate. Incredible value and so good you’ll be praising Dionysus. Yamas! – Vic Pagan, Astor Wines & Spirits Consultant