Lyrarakis located in Crete, Greece is an interesting example of a red wine from Greece. It’s dry and reasonably light with small amounts of tanning. Its ok as a wine to go with food but just lacks character on its own. At £20 a bottle it’s way over priced.
Greek red wine can be excellent, world beating and it’s not to say that this red made from the Liatoko grape is bad. It lacks any real sense of depth or standout flavours. Its a lunch time, dry red wine to be drunk and enjoyed with a meal. Certainly at £20 a bottle there are better wines out there, but at least it’s a “not to be refused if you are offered a glass” category.
Kostantino Winery, Selections, Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Greece
You can get some excellent greek wine, unfortunately this is not world class. There are a number issues with this wine. It has a slight aroma of nail vanish which is off putting. Its to acidic and to non descript. there is very little taste and no characteristics of the grape. At Eur17 a bottle its a no on all fronts from me.
You can get excellent Greek wine, its out there but this orange wine is not one of these. Its not terrible, but its quite bland with very little flavour and a little acidic. Not much else I can say.
Alpha Estate, Assyrtiko Ecosystem, Aghia Kiriaki, 2017, Greece
Wine from Greece is not the first choice for many wine drinkers but this one from Alpha Estates is very good. It has mid yellow colour, going towards straw.
Its a concentrated wine both in smell with citrus and stone fruit coming though. The taste is clean with good length and a decent balance on the flavour front with lemon, peach and flint notes working together.
This is a good wine.
The red blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro from Alpha Estate in Greece is a rather decent red wine.
A dry, reasonable light red it has aromas of red and black fruit with earthy and spice hints. The flavours are defined, plum, blackcurrant and cherry with oak notes, strong but not overpowering.
People rubbish wine thats not from the traditional wine areas but this shows that many non main stream wine countries can produce very good wine. The only downside is the price, EUR20 a bottle is a bit pricey.
Alpha Estate, SMX Red, 2017, Greece
Greece is not known with the great unwashed for great red wine and most people don’t know that they make wine but that is to the benefit of those that search a little and have open eyes.
Its a solid red colour, dry with decent tannins and shows that the greeks can make pretty good wine, aromas and flavours of red and black fruits, plums, redcurrant and blackberry with hints of herbs and spices with a smoothness that makes this a joy to drink.
Well done to the wine maker, our Christmas meal main wine was excellent.
Chrisohoou, Gold Selection, Xinomavro, Greece