Domaine Costa Lazaridi Chateau Julia Refosco Agiorgitiko 2006
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Native the Peloponnese peninsula of Greece, Agioritiko is the star variety here and in fact, the only one permitted to carry the Nemea appellation. While it favors the hot Mediterranean climate of Greece, it performs best in Nemea’s high altitude mountain vineyards between 1,350 to 2,000 feet where fully ripe grapes can also achieve great acidity and structure. Somm Secret—As one of Greece's oldest varieties, wines made from Agioritiko were historically often associated with the half-god Heracules and referred to as the "Blood of Heracles.”
A picturesque Mediterranean nation with a rich wine culture dating back to ancient times, Greece has so much more to offer than just retsina. Between the mainland and the country’s many islands, a wealth of Greek wine styles exists, made mostly from Greece’s plentiful indigenous varieties. After centuries of adversity after Ottoman rule, the modern Greek wine industry took off in the late 20th century with an influx of newly trained winemakers and investments in winemaking technology.
The climate—generally hot Mediterranean—can vary a bit with latitude and elevation, and is mostly moderated by cool maritime breezes. Drought can be an issue for Greek wine during the long, dry summers, sometimes necessitating irrigation.
Over 300 indigenous grapes have been identified throughout Greece, and though not all of them are suitable for wine production, future decades will likely see a significant revival and refinement of many of these native Greek wine varieties. Assyrtiko, the crisp, saline Greek wine variety of the island of Santorini, is one of the most important and popular white wine varieties, alongside Roditis, Robola, Moschofilero, and Malagousia. Muscat is also widely grown for both sweet and dry wines. Prominent red wine varieties include full-bodied and fruity Agiorghitiko, native to Nemea; Macedonia’s savory, tannic Xinomavro; and Mavrodaphne, used commonly to produce a Port-like fortified wine in the Peloponnese.