#xinomavro

[wine-picks]

🇬🇷 🍷 Happy Tuesday! Enjoying this lovely, vegan, dry rosé from Greece tonight. Arrived in LCBO VINTAGES on the weekend and is a great buy! Full review: https://rebrand.ly/5hmglpl . 2025 Kir-Yianni Xinomavro Rosé (90+ pts, $20)

[elladastinkardiamou]

Greek Wines Get Back to Their Roots

The landscape of the Macedonian region in northern Greece is tapestried with vineyards. They supply wineries that are producing some of the best red wines Greece has to offer.

The Alpha Estate here in the northwestern corner of Macedonia is a fine example. In a tasting of Greek reds by the wine panel of The Times last August, its 2016 xinomavro, from the Hedgehog Vineyard, came out on top.

That wine tasting covered only wines made from indigenous grapes, notably xinomavro (zee-no-MAHV-ro), the grape used to make the Alpha Estate wine. It’s a name that should become increasingly familiar to wine lovers willing to explore the wines of Greece.

While high-profile Greek winemakers are busy cultivating international varietals like merlot and sauvignon blanc, the spotlight is starting to shine on some of the hundreds of the country’s native grapes, many of which have probably existed since the days of Homer.

Angelos Iatrides, an owner and the winemaker of Alpha Estate, whom I met on a visit to Macedonia and several of the region’s wineries this year, is convinced of the value of Greek varietals, and hopes the rest of the wine world will come around. “Xinomavro is very important,” he said. “We have to understand the purity of these varietals and learn about them.”

[dandelionwineshop]

Natural Wine Geek Alert 🚨🤓🍷🇬🇷 Unsulfured, organic 2010 old-vine Xinomavro from Greece had some of our staff licking the bottom of their glasses... violets and tabacco got us like 😍. #drinkwine #naturalwine #zerozero #maternatura #xinomavro #greece (at Dandelion Wine) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrOoV0wnWJS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ckjp02ps3bsi

[amateurziarko]

You might say I have an aesthetic... Also, this Xinomavro from Kir-Yianni in Naoussa, Greece is outrageously delicious. Some compare it to a Nebbiolo, but I think it’s like a Sangiovese from Montalcino. Sturdy tannins with ample acidity balanced with richness. There’s cherry and tomato leaf in here (I love a little vegetal in my wine), and I would drink it forever if I could. #girlsnightin #xinomavro #greekwine https://www.instagram.com/p/BnXpweUh5_E/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j9rwm095wddo

[shibasommelier]

2016 Alpha Estate A Rosé

Ohai. Summertime means it’s rosé time. This one’s by Alpha Estate and I do love what those humans do over in Greece! Strawberries, rose hips, and raspberries on the nose. Nectarines and strawberries on the palate with a hint of rhubarb and blood orange. Mineral finish. Nice zingy acidity.

4/5 bones

$$

Xinomavro

13% abv

Florina, GREECE

[tannindactyl]

Been really enjoying exploring Greek wine! Delicious 2006 Artemis Karamolegos Vin Santo and 2011 Dio Fili Xinomavro #vinsanto#dessertwine#santorini#xinomavro#assyrtiko#greekwine#winesofgreece#winegeek#winestagram#somm#corkdork#winelover#cheers

[wine-picks]

🇬🇷 🍷 It's Sunday night and I'm loving this 2022 Boutari Naoussa Red (90+ pts, $20) from Greece. This Xinomavro arrived in LCBO VINTAGES in November and is a great buy! Full review: https://rebrand.ly/tbv6ss4

[wine-picks]

🇬🇷 🍷 It's Sunday night & I'm loving this 50/50 blend of Xinomavro and Merlot from Greece. Brand new arrival in LCBO VINTAGES two weeks ago and a highly recommended buy! Full review: https://rebrand.ly/uvhl227 2022 Kechris Genesis Xinomavro / Merlot (90 pts, $23)