Meet our newest Greek wine, Tetramythos Black of Kalavryta
The Grape: Black of Kalavryta (or Mavro Kalavritino). The berry color is black – thus the first part of the name. The grape is grown in the Peloponnese, only in the mountainous region of Achaia where its namesake village is located. That village, Kalavryta, has an unfortunate and dark footnote in the annals of WWII. The grape’s characteristic notes are strawberry and earth – which come out in full force in Tetramythos’ offering.
The Wine: Tetramythos Black of Kalavryta
Tetramythos makes this wine with 100% Black of Kalavryta. While the grape, itself, is relatively rare, single varietal productions are almost unheard of. Tetramythos is a relatively new company, only starting in 1999. The have 14 hectares under vine, ca. 600-1000 meters above sea level. This wine is distributed in Philadelphia through Joe Brandolo’s new company, Urban Earth Wines. Joe focuses on producers whose grapes are sustainably grown and whose wine has minimal intervention in the production process; Tetramythos wines fit this bill. The wine is deliciously different. It has a notes of wild strawberry, sour cherry, and beef broth, with a black pepper finish.
Fun Fact:
Tetramythos is found in the mountainous region around Mount Erymanthos and Mount Aroania, on whose slopes Tetramythos’ vines are planted. Mount Erymanthos is the mythical home of the Boar of Erymanthos, which Hercules was tasked with killing as one of his penitential labors. But, before he could even get to the task of the boar, he enraged the local Centaurs by drinking their wine. It was only after defeating the (justly!) upset Centaurs that he got to the task of slaying the boar.
Tetramythos Black of Kalavryta is available now at Jet for $9/glass. Try it with our steak montadito or a cheese plate.