Greece

White Wines

The best Retsina comes from the Euboea region, in central Greece, near Athens, and is principally made from the Savatiano grape, with just a little Rhoditis to add freshness. Although very 'different', it is definitely a wine that works well with strong eastern Mediterranean foods. Mantinia is a wine producing region, situated high up on a 600 metre plateau, in the Peloponnese, in southern Greece, that has a long tradition of making fine, dry white wines. Made from the Moscophilero grape, it is slightly spicy and aromatic, with a crisp balancing acidity. Santorini is one of the Cyclades' southern islands and, since the Venetian occupation in the 15th Century, it has had a long tradition of wine producing. Made from Assyrtiko grapes, blended with small amounts of Athiri and Aedani, it is super-fresh with a soft, lime-fruit and a touch of hazelnut on the finish.

Red Wines

Greece's very best red wine producing vineyards are high altitude, cool climate and south-eastern facing slopes on Mount Vermio, situated in Náoussa in Macedonia, in northern Greece. Mainly made from the Xynomavro grape, the Náoussa Red has a delightful sweet, red-berry nose with an expressive, easy up-front fruitiness. The Grande Reserve sees 18 months in French and American oak barriques and comes from 40 year-old vines grown at 280 metres on the slopes of Mount Vermio. It has a brambly-spicy fruitiness with a long, complex aftertaste. The pure Xynomavro cuvée is an altogether more beefy and taut red with a lovely, extravagant peppery fruitiness and soft tannins.

Kretikos White, 2004 - Vin de Pays de Crète, Macedonia

An intensely fruity white packed full of tropical fruit flavours.Kretikos White is derived form Vilana, Thrapsathiri (try saying that after a couple of glasses) and Athiri grapes which are grown on 13 year old vines. Crystal clear, brilliant, soft white with intense aromas of citrus, pineapple, peach and grapefruit that lead to a full flavour that lingers with an aromatic finish. SEA FISH/CHEESE DISHES/SALADS

Naoussa Grande Reserve, 1999 - Mount Vermio, Macedonia

A brambly red with a good depth of fruit and generously flavoured. Greece’s very best red wine producing vineyards are high altitude, cool climate and south-eastern facing slopes on Mount Vermio, situated in Náoussa in Macedonia, in northern Greece. Mainly made from the Xynomavro grape, the Grande Reserve sees 18 months in French and American oak barriques and comes from 40 year-old vines grown at 280 metres on the slopes of Mount Vermio. It has a brambly-spicy fruitiness with a long, complex aftertaste. MEAT BALLS/STUUFED MARROW/LAMB