Ktima Pavlidis Syrah 2006
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While winemaking in Drama dates back to antiquity, the region did not emerge onto the modern winemaking scene until the 1980s. Ktima Pavlidis was created in 1998 with 160 acres of estate vineyards planted with a mix of international and indigenous Greek varietals. The Ktima Pavlidis winery and vineyards are located in the region of Drama in Eastern Macedonia. This region is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and by the Aegean Sea to the south. This unique topography provides the estate vineyards with a special microclimate, with cool winds during the night that prolong the ripening period and give the grapes the opportunity to ripen slowly and evenly. All wines are made exclusively with estate-grown fruit, in order to control the quality of production. Each of the estate vineyards has an on-site weather station which allows the viticultural team to closely monitor conditions during the growing season, ensuring that grapes are harvested during optimal ripeness. The grapes are hand-harvested at night and refrigerated during transportation in order to take advantage of the cooler temperature and preserve the varietals’ aromatics and natural acidity. At the estate’s modern winemaking facility, the team uses a gentle approach, utilizing light crushing, temperature-controlled maceration and gravity-flow transfers in order the faithfully preserve the characteristics of the grapes without over extraction or harsh tannins. The resulting wines from Ktima Pavlidis are high-quality, terroir-driven wines with enjoyable aromatic and flavor profiles, with a distinct and recognizable personality.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
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.