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Experience the Greek Wine Renaissance Thursday, May 15, 2008 Speaker: Sofia Perpera, Director, All About Greek Wine The Greek wine industry is in the middle of a remarkable resurgence and is positioning itself to become the next “up-and-coming” wine-producing region of the world. During the last 25 years, the Greek wine sector has undergone a complete transformation with a tremendous investment in modern winemaking technology and rebuilding of the Greek vineyard. The current generation of Greek winemakers has been trained at the best wine schools around the world and, together with the unique indigenous grape varieties that Greece has to offer, has set in motion what many are calling, "The Greek Wine Renaissance". We tasted 12 wines; Prices are full markup retail price. We asked for one vote for favorite white, one votes for favorite red and whether you liked or disliked the sparkling and the dessert wines. Everyone liked the Sparkling : Tselepos Amalia NV. Sigalas Santorini 2007 was the favorite white, Boutari Naoussa Grande Reserve 2001 was the favorite red, and everyone liked the Dessert wine: Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras NV.   Flight I: Sparkling Votes Full Retail Price $ Tselepos Amalia NV Regional wine of Arcadia Grape Variety: Moschofilero Region: Mantinia/Peloponnese Light, dry, fruit, low acidity, hints of peach and pear on the palette. All liked $20.00 Flight II: White Votes Full Retail Price $ Emery Villare 2007 VDQS. Rhodes. Dry White Grape Variety Athiri Region:Rhodes/Aegean Islands Light color, crisp, light, minerals. 0 $16.00 Spiropoulos Mantinia 2007 V.D.Q.S Mantinia, Dry White Grape Variety Moschofilero Region:Mantinia/Peloponnese Floral, citrus, spice, great with Asian food. 4 $17.00 Spiropoulos Mantinia 2007 V.D.Q.S Mantinia, Dry White Grape Variety Moschofilero Region:Mantinia/Peloponnese Floral, citrus, spice, great with Asian food. 4 $17.00 Katogi Traminer 2006 Regional wine of Ioannina, Dry White Grape variety: Traminer Region: Metsovo/Hepirus Deep golden color, spicy, earthy nose, round. Soft on the palate. 13.5% alcohol. 2 $22.00 Vatistas Kidonitsa 2007 Regional wine of Monemvassia, Dry white Grape Variety: Kidonitsa Region: Laconia/Peloponnese A lot of citrus in the nose, balanced, good fruit. 1 $16.00 Sigalas Santorini 2007 V.D.Q.S. Santorini, Dry White Grape variety: Assyrtiko Region: Santorini/Aegean Islands Circular vines. Volcanic soil, grapes lie on the ground. Citrus aromas, earthy, mineral flavors, good acidity. The favorite white wine. 17 $22.00 Flight III: Red Votes Full Retail Price $ Gaia Notios Red 2007 Regional Wine of Peloponnese, Dry Red Grape variety: Agiorgitiko Region: Nemea/Peloponnese Light red color, big nose, with hints of gooseberry, butter caramel and a discreet wood fragrance, soft flavor with low tannin. 3 $14.00 Nemea Grand Cuvee 2005 V.D.Q.S. Nemea, Dry Red Grape variety: Agiorgitiko Region: Nemea/Peloponnese Medium to deep red color, complex aromas of plums and black currants, and velvety tannins. 8 $36.00 Alpha Xinomavro 2004 V.D.Q.S. Amyndeo, Dry Red Grape variety: Xinomavro Region: Amyndeo/Macedonia Dark color, Complex, fruity, spicy aromas, often reminiscent of dried tomatoes, olives, and berries; Highly tannic, highly acidic wines with great aging potential, not unlike the Nebbiolo-based wines of Piedmont, Italy, such as Barolo. 5 $38.00 Nemea Reserve 2004 V.D.Q.S. Nemea, Dry Red Grape variety: Agiorgitiko Region: Nemea/Peloponnese Nose with hints of old leather and cherry which leads to velvety tannins in the mouth with a finish of great refinement. 6 $22.00 Boutari Naoussa Grande Reserve 2001 V.D.Q.S. Naooussa, Dry Red Grape variety: Xinomavro Region: Naoussa/Macedonia Burgundy color. Spicy nose, complex-great character, gooseberry spices, dried tomatoes, needs age. The favorite of this flight. 10 $26.00 Flight IV: Dessert Votes Full Retail Price $ Kourtaki Mavrodaphne of Patras NV A.O.C. Mavrodaphne of Patras, Dessert Red Grape varieties: Mavrodaphne, Corinthiaki Region: Achaia/Peloponnese Brick red color, spicy aroma and flavor of plums, mocha, cloves, and vanilla. Full bodied with velvet sweetness. Greek version of a “Port”. 22 All liked $18.00 Top