Oude Wereld - Nieuwe Wereld - wijn

griekenland ??? dit is antieke wereld vs. nieuwe/oude wereld

btw martin, laatste WA heeft aandacht besteed aan griekenland. hierbij tekst + scores (webmasters : ik weet niet of een dergelijke copy/paste op een publiek gratis forum wel of niet als inbreuk op copyright moet geïnterpreteerd worden. indien dit zo mocht zijn dan mag deze posting gewist worden) :

Greece and Cyprus 2008

Like many emerging regions, Greece actually has long established wines and wine traditions, even ignoring antiquity. To take one example, the Achaia Clauss winery was famous for the Port-like Mavrodaphne in the 19th Century and still is today. Yet Greece, like other emerging regions, has only made an impact on the international wine scene recently–a decade or less with many wineries, a generation or less for many others.

Greek winemakers have carved out a niche for themselves with indigenous varieties like Xinomavro (see, almost “skee”-NO-mah-vro), Agiorgitiko (ay-yor-YEE-tee-ko), both red; Assyrtiko (uh-SEER-ti-ko), Moschofilero (Mos-ko-FEEL-er-o)(both white); and Mavrodaphne (usually used for Port-like dessert wines). Although you will certainly find winemakers effectively using international grapes, the local varieties have their own personalities and offer new flavors. Warning: transliteration from Greek is tricky and alternative spellings are common. You generally see Assyrtiko, Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko, for instance. While those are more or less standard, it sometimes it seems like anything goes and you will also see Xynomavro, Aghiorgitiko, Asirtiko, and Asyrtico. There is some talk of the need to standardize spellings. For the moment, I generally use whatever is on the label to avoid consumer confusion.

Greece is still working on matching terroir to grapes in some places, but in others there are strong associations already established. For instance, Santorini is Assyrtiko territory, Nemea is associated with Agiorgitiko, Naoussa with Xinomavro and Mantinia with Moschofilero. The indigenous varieties are often polar opposites, giving Greece diverse as well as unique offerings. For instance, the Moschofilero wines were generally charming, elegant and delicate, perfect Summer wines, perhaps a competitor to Vinho Verde. Assyrtiko, on the other hand, can be a powerful white wine that can age. Santorini producers like Sigalas and Gai’a work with their pre-phylloxera vineyards to produce crisp, steely and interesting whites. Think Chablis crossed with Trocken Riesling. In other versions, Assyrtiko can project fine depth and a friendlier, more gentle feel.

For reds, Agiorgitiko is often fruity and bursting with flavor, a tasty, crowd-pleasing wine that is hard to resist. In the hands of good producers like Gai’a or Skouras, the bottlings also have structure and become more than a simple, fruity little wine. Complexity, to be sure, is not the main virtue here. The best of them are simply delicious. It is a grape that combines the approachability of Merlot and Gamay with the intensity of flavor that you get in grapes like Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. At the other extreme, Xinomavro produces powerful and intense wines with lots of acidity and tannin. It is a difficult grape that can produce rustic wines that remind me of old style Nebbiolo, complex, a little hard edged and ageworthy. To be sure, some producers, like Alpha Estate, are working hard to make a more modern Xinomavro. This relatively soft, more approachable style may surprise some who are used to the more backward and traditional versions. Sometimes, in fact, I feared that the grape would lose its distinctive qualities.

Many of the local grapes are, to be sure, average at best; it is not likely that Aidani will make truly distinguished wines. At the least, winemakers need to make their case for the lesser varieties.

The Greek whites in general are probably ahead of the Greek reds qualitatively. The whites are routinely charming even when not particularly profound. The best of them, usually from Assyrtiko, are among Greece's best wines. The Greek reds are more erratic. They can sometimes pile on the tannins without sufficient mid-palate concentration to provide balance. Others are simply light and pleasing quaffers that age quickly and are a bit simple. Still others have high price tags while doing little to justify them. There is another level, though. The best are quite interesting and will surprise consumers willing to experiment.

The most pleasant surprise is Greece's secret weapon– the dessert wine category. There are the charming and usually very inexpensive Beaumes de Venise style Muscats that are often steals; stunning Vinsantos that can age; and aromatic Mavrodaphnes, among others. They are as a group a pleasure to drink. The best are simply exceptional wines. Try the 1974 Vinsanto from Argyros, for instance or the 1999 Muscato “Anthemis” from the Samos Cooperative.

It is hard to believe, but emerging regions that have had little impact on the wine world are forcing consumers to pay attention to a completely different part of the world. A wine epicenter that includes countries like Greece, Israel and Lebanon might look familiar to someone a couple of thousand years old, but it is certainly a new part of the wine world for the rest of us.

Year Wine Name▲ Rating Maturity Price

NV Achaia Clauss Mavrodaphne Of Patras Imperial 84 Mature 10

NV Achaia Clauss Mavrodaphne Of Patras Reserve 89 Early 30

NV Achaia Clauss Muscat Of Patras 87 Early 10

2004 Alpha Estate Xinomavro 86 Early

2005 Alpha Estate Xinomavro 89 Early 36

2006 Alpha Estate Pinot Noir 87 Early

2004 Alpha Estate Alpha Estate 87 Early

2005 Alpha Estate Alpha Estate 89 Early 36

NV Argros Muscat 86 Early 11

2006 Argyros Estate Atlantis 85 Early 22

2004 Argyros Estate Santorini 84 43

2005 Argyros Estate Santorini 85 Mature

2006 Argyros Estate Santorini 86 Mature

2007 Argyros Estate Santorini 86 Mature

1974 Argyros Estate Vin Santo 95 Early

1988 Argyros Estate Vin Santo 92 Early 90

2002 Argyros Estate Vinsanto Mezzo 88 Early 40

2004 Avantis Estate (Mountrihas) Petite Syrah 85 Mature 25

2005 Boutari Nemea 84 Mature 12

2005 Boutari Ode Cabernet Sauvignon / Agiorgitiko 86 Early 27

2005 Boutari Merlot / Xinomavro 86 Early 26

2003 Boutari Grand Reserve Naoussa 88 Early 25

2005 Boutari Naoussa 85 Mature 17

2007 Boutari Domaine Roxane Matsa 88 Mature 27

2006 Boutari Kretikos 82 Mature 15

2007 Boutari Kretikos 85 Mature 15

2006 Boutari Skalani Syrah / Kotsifali 88 Early 40

2006 Boutari Kallisti Reserve 88 Mature 29

2007 Boutari Santorini 88 Mature 20

2004 Boutari Vinsanto 91 Early 25

2007 Boutari Moschofilero 88 Mature 17

1996 Cair Rose Brut Reserve 86 Mature 15

2005 Costa Lazaridis Cabernet Sauvignon / Agiorgitiko Oenotria Land 88 Early 99

2005 Costa Lazaridis Syrah / Agiorgitiko Oenotria Land 87 Early 99

2006 Costa Lazaridis Amethystos 86 Early 23

2007 Costa Lazaridis Amethystos 88 Mature 18

2003 Costa Lazaridis Cava Amethystos 87 Early 45

2007 Costa Lazaridis Chardonnay Chateau Julia 87 Mature 18

2005 Costa Lazaridis Refosco Agiorgitiko Chateau Julia 83 Early 25

2007 Costa Lazaridis Sauvignon Blanc Amethystos 88 Mature 18

2007 Dalamara Dalamara 87 Mature 22

2002 Dalamara Paliokalias 81 26

2007 Emery Athiri Mountain Slopes 86 Mature 18

2007 Emery Athiri Rhodos 86 Mature 13

NV Etko Centurion 91 Early 150

NV Etko St Nicholas 88 Early 18

2007 Gai'A Notios 85 Mature 14

2006 Gai'A S 88 Early 45

2007 Gai'A Agiorgitiko Notios 84 Mature 14-15

2007 Gai'A Thalassitis 90 Young 18

Year Wine Name▲ Rating Maturity Price

2007 Gai'A Thalassitis Oak Fermented 90 Young 40

2001 Gai'A Agiorgitiko Gai'A Estate 88 Early

2005 Gai'A Agiorgitiko Gai'A Estate 90 Early 55

2006 Gai'A Agiorgitiko Gai'A Estate (89-91) Early

2007 Gentilini Aspro Classic 86 Mature 15

2007 Gentilini Robola 85 Mature 16-18

2005 Domaine Gerovassiliou Avaton 87 Early 75

2005 Domaine Gerovassiliou Evangelo 88 Early 45

2005 Domaine Gerovassiliou Syrah 88 Early 39

2004 Greek Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Oenoforos 85 Mature 13

2007 Greek Wine Cellars Lagorthi Oenoforos 75 13

2007 Greek Wine Cellars Kouros 84 12

NV Greek Wine Cellars Mavrodaphne 84 Early 11

2007 Greek Wine Cellars Roditis Asprolithi Oenoforos 86 Mature 14

NV Greek Wine Cellars Muscat 86 Early 13

2004 Greek Wine Cellars Kouros 83 Mature 12

2005 Harlaftis Argilos Southern Slopes 85 Early 16

2007 Hatzidakis Nikteri 88 Early 35

2007 Hatzidakis Santorini 88 Early 21

2007 Hatzidakis Santorini Barrel Fermented 86 Mature 28

2000 Hatzidakis Vinsanto 92 Early 24

2003 Domaine Hatzimichalis Kapnias 89 Early 40

2003 Domaine Hatzimichalis Merlot 87 Mature 47

2006 Domaine Hatzimichalis Veriki 90 Mature 21

2007 Domaine Hatzimichalis Domaine Hatzimichalis 87 Mature 12

2005 Domaine Karydas Xinomavro 90 Early 24

2005 Kir-Yanni Estate Dyo Elies 87+ Young 45

2005 Kir-Yanni Estate Kir Yianni Estate 87 Young 30

2006 Kir-Yanni Estate Paranga 84 Early 21

2005 Kir-Yanni Estate Ramnista 84 Early 30

2007 Kir-Yanni Estate Petra 86 Mature 19

2000 Konstantinos Cabernet Sauvignon Anny's Animus 84 55

1999 Konstantinos Cabernet Sauvignon Ftelia 83 24

2007 Megapanos Savatiano 85 Mature 15

2005 Megapanos Nemea 84 Mature 25

2005 Mercouri Estate Antares 87 Early 23

2005 Mercouri Estate Domaine Mercouri 86 Early 20-23

2007 Mercouri Estate Foloi 87 Mature 16

2005 Mitravelas Estate Agiorgitiko 87 Early 30

2006 Mitravelas Estate Agiorgitiko Red And Black 84 Mature 14

2006 Moraitis Parios Oenos 88 Mature 19

2002 Moraitis Reserve 79 18

2007 Moraitis Sillogi Moraiti 87 Mature 18

2004 Nemeion Estate Hgemon Sovereign Grande Reserve 89 Early 85

2004 Nemeion Estate Reserve 87 Early 60

2007 Olympus Hellas Moschofilero Haggipavlu 85 Mature 16

2005 Palivou Vinyards Nemea 87 Early 25

2004 Palivou Vinyards Terra Leone Ammos Reserve 87 Early 45

2005 Palivou Vinyards Terra Leone Ammos Reserve 88 Early

2005 Christoforos Pavlidis Thema 85 Early 18

Year Wine Name▲ Rating Maturity Price

2007 Christoforos Pavlidis Thema 88 Mature 18

2006 Pavlou Winery Xynomavro / Syrah Kappa P62 86 Early 30

2006 Pavlou Winery Xynomavro Klima 84 Early 15

2007 Pavlou Winery Xynomavro Rose Kappa P35 86 Mature 17

2007 Domaine Porto Carras Assyrtiko 85 Mature 14-15

2002 Domaine Porto Carras Chateau Porto Carras 85 Mature 34

2004 Domaine Porto Carras Limnio 85 Early 17

2004 Protopapas Winery Agioritikos 78 18

2005 Protopapas Winery Agioritikos 83 Mature 20

1999 Samos Winery Muscato Anthemis 94 Early 27

2000 Samos Winery Muscato Nectar 91 Early 25

2007 Samos Winery Muscato Vin Doux 89 Early 18

2007 Santo Wines Assyrtiko 87 Mature 22

2003 Santo Wines Vinsanto 89 Early 40

2007 Semeli Agiorgitiko Rose 87 Mature 15

2007 Semeli Mountain Sun 85 Mature 13

2005 Semeli Mountain Sun Agiorgitiko 83 Mature 12

2007 Domaine Sigalas Asirtiko / Athiri 88 Early 15

2000 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko 89 Early

2001 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko 87 Mature

2003 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko 89 Early

2006 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko 91 Early 23

2007 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko 90 Early 24

2001 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko Barrell Fermented 90 Mature

2003 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko Barrell Fermented 90 Early

2007 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko Barrell Fermented 90 Early 9-12

2004 Domaine Sigalas Mandilaria 90 Early

2003 Domaine Sigalas Vin Santo 91 Early 36

2006 Domaine Skouras Chardonnay Almyra 89 Early

2007 Domaine Skouras Chardonnay Almyra 89 Mature

1997 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 84

1998 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 85

1999 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 86 Mature

2000 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 85 Mature

2001 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 86 Mature

2002 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 86 Mature

2003 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 87 Early

2005 Domaine Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet Sauvignon / Saint George 88 Early 26

2007 Domaine Skouras Moscofilero 87 Mature 15

2006 Domaine Skouras Viognier Cuvee Larsinos 87 Mature 20

2007 Domaine Skouras White 85 Mature 10

2006 Domaine Skouras Saint George 86 Mature 14

2004 Domaine Skouras Saint George Grande Cuvee 88 Early 26

2005 Domaine Skouras Saint George Grande Cuvee 89 Early 26

2007 Domaine Spiropoulos Domaine Spiropoulos 85 14

2005 Domaine Spiropoulos Red Stag 84 Mature 14-15

2007 Tatsis Negoska Rose Angel's Peak 87 Mature 19

2006 Tatsis Angel's Peak 87 Early 18

2004 Tatsis Xinomavro / Negoska 86 Early 25

2006 Thimiopoulos Uranos Xinomavro 89 Early 24-27

Year Wine Name▲ Rating Maturity Price

NV Tselepos Amalia Brut 87 Mature 28

2007 Tselepos Gewurztraminer 86 Mature

2005 Tselepos Cabernet Sauvignon 89 Early

2007 Tselepos Moschofilero 87 Mature 22

2004 Tselepos Moschofilero Oak Fermented 83 22

2005 Tselepos Agiorgitiko Nemea Driopi 86 Early 24

2006 Tsilili Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Askitikos 84 Mature 20

NV Union Of Winemaking Cooperatives Of Samos Samena Golden 85 Mature 13

2007 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro Dogmaticos 84 Mature 18

2005 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro Emeros 79 Mature 13

2007 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro Emeros 82 Mature 13

2003 Vaeni Naoussa Damascenos 86 Early 25

2000 Vaeni Naoussa Grande Reserve 85 Mature 24

2005 Vaeni Naoussa Xinomavro 85 Early 16

2006 Vatistas Assyrtiko 88 Mature 25

2007 Vatistas Kidonitsa 87 Mature 40

2007 Vatistas Malagouzia 88 Mature

2006 Vatistas Aghiorgitiko / Cabernet Sauvignon 85 Mature 18

2007 Vatistas Asproudi / Assyritko 86 Mature 15

2005 Vatistas Nemea 84 Mature 27

2007 Volcan Wines Koutsoyiannopoulos 89 Early 22

2003 Volcan Wines Vinsanto Koutsoyiannopoulos 90 Early 36

Oude Wereld - Nieuwe Wereld

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