…AND TO DRINK?
The Greeks have been having a hell of a time in the last few years. I’ve been doing my bit to help by buying lots of Greek produce, such as yogurt, olives and wine. A few years ago it was difficult to obtain good-quality Greek wine, with only Oddbins flying the fl ag. Now it’s everywhere. I like to think that the change is partly due to one of the fi st columns I wrote for The Lady, extolling the virtues of wine from the Eastern Med. Greece is not an easy country to navigate your way around due to its wealth of difficult-to-pronounce grape varieties. Here are a few to start you off:
Domaine Thymiopoulos Xinomavro Naoussa 2011, £10.49: www.marksandspencer.com
This grape, pronounced Zinomavro, is the Nebbiolo of Greece. It shares with the grape that makes Barolo a propensity to be tannic, but when it’s good like this, it has wonderful structure and a smell of leather and spices.
Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko 2012, £11.99: www.waitrose.com
The volcanic island of Santorini makes one of the world’s great white wines, mainly from the grape, Assyrtiko. This smells of honey, ginger and the sea; it’s complex with a long finish.
Semeli Agiorgitiko Feast 2012, £8.50: www.oddbins.co.uk
The Greek range at Oddbins is not what it used to be, but there are gems. This is light-bodied with crunchy fruit, spiciness and a hint of candy. The grape Agiorgitiko means St George.
Lyrarakis Armi Thrapsathiri 2012, £16.95: www.bbr.com
This Cretan wine smells as if it’s going to be a bit wacky, with hints of cider and vinegar, but on the palate it’s more conventional. Its waxy texture makes me reach for another glass.
Domaine Thymiopoulos Xinomavro Naoussa 2011, £10.49: www.marksandspencer.com
This grape, pronounced Zinomavro, is the Nebbiolo of Greece. It shares with the grape that makes Barolo a propensity to be tannic, but when it’s good like this, it has wonderful structure and a smell of leather and spices.
Hatzidakis Santorini Assyrtiko 2012, £11.99: www.waitrose.com
The volcanic island of Santorini makes one of the world’s great white wines, mainly from the grape, Assyrtiko. This smells of honey, ginger and the sea; it’s complex with a long finish.
Semeli Agiorgitiko Feast 2012, £8.50: www.oddbins.co.uk
The Greek range at Oddbins is not what it used to be, but there are gems. This is light-bodied with crunchy fruit, spiciness and a hint of candy. The grape Agiorgitiko means St George.
Lyrarakis Armi Thrapsathiri 2012, £16.95: www.bbr.com
This Cretan wine smells as if it’s going to be a bit wacky, with hints of cider and vinegar, but on the palate it’s more conventional. Its waxy texture makes me reach for another glass.