RETAILER FEEDBACK

Carl Reid

Saxtys Wines, Hereford

“As a long-time fan of Greece and its wines I really enjoyed the tasting. It was interesting to try some Assyrtiko that wasn’t from Santorini which showed how markedly different the styles can be. And I’ve never tried a Mavrodaphne that wasn’t sweet and from Patras, so that was a first. If I had to pick a star wine it would be the Vissa, which had perfume, complexity and was just an enjoyable wine to drink.”

Charlotte Dean

Wined Up Here, Norbiton

“The stand-out wine was the 2022 Assyrtiko – a very pungent open nose of pear fruit and some peachiness. Very inviting. Great weight on the palate, focused and pure, with lovely viscosity that filled the mouth and balanced acidity which left the mouth clean and fresh and looking forward to more. Although high alcohol, it was well integrated: complete and delicious. Our favourite red was the Vissa Xinomavro. Soft red fruit notes of cherry and raspberries. Lively and fresh on the palate inviting another sip. No harsh tannins. Fresh and pure fruited.”

Duncan Gammie

The Wee Vinoteca, Hitchin & Cambridge

“I very much enjoyed the first Assyrtiko and the white Xinomavro. Overall I thought the tasting introduced some very exciting wines that will be very well received by adventurous wine drinkers and in fine-dining restaurants.”

Chris Bain

Sant’Or Krãsis 2020

From the north western part of the Peloponnese, a vineyard at 750m, this is a natural wine, biodynamic, harvested early, and aged for six months in old barrels to mellow the tannins.

“It is a gentle expression” of a “thickskinned grape. It has a blue hue, the tannins are tamed, the wine is more about freshness and we pick up the flavour profile at the very end.”

Papargyriou The Black Daphne 2021

From one of the very few north-facing vineyards in Greece, at 800m, looking directly onto the Corinthian Bay in the northern Peloponnese, this is a much darker, more extracted, style, says Moutsou, in which you can see the sweet-wine tradition coming through.

“It’s round and ready, very pleasant and approachable. A popular wine, with a fullness and integration that suits the British palate,” she adds.

Harris & Co, Castle Douglas

“I thought Karadimos Neottia 2022 was excellent, with great fruit concentration and a lovely hint of the sea. The alcohol was hidden nicely in the layers of flavour. We’ll likely list it.

“I also really enjoyed the Karadimos Vissa 2016, which in the glass I suppose looked like a Nebbiolo and had a very attractive nose of cherries and herbs. It reminded me of both a Languedoc red and something from northern Italy at the same time, and for nearly seven years old I thought it was very nice indeed. Again, we will probably list.”

Kieran O’Brien

Three Pillars Wine, Stafford

“I was really impressed with the wines. This was the first time I tried a white Xinomavro and that was the stand-out wine for me. The orange Assyrtiko was another highlight. A deliciously savoury and textured skin contact wine.”

For more information contact maria@southernwineroads.com southernwineroads.com 07775 714595