White Hot Greek White Wines
Assyrtiko may be Greece’s most famous vinous export now (aside from retsina; we will not speak of that here), but there are so many other exciting whites that I have to bring them to your attention. Historically, the Savatiano and Roditis grapes were the workhorses. For decades they made simple white wines that were crowd-pleasing café staples for easy mezza pairings. There has been a lot of focus on leveling up these grapes, and we will continue to see more exciting ones to come over the next few years.
The aromatic grapes Moschofilero and Malagousia are making some of the most exotic and engaging whites. Moschofilero is perfumed like Muscat but has a dryer finish. Malagousia reaches towards floral tones but takes a step back to show off more of its stone fruit flavors.
One of the most exciting grapes to emerge is Vidiano from Crete. This viscous, mineral-driven grape has incredible texture that reminds me of a cross between France’s Marsanne and Santorini’s Assyrtiko. We are just scratching the surface on this grape, and there will be a lot to love as we continue to watch winemakers work with it.
2023 Alpha Estate "Turtles Vineyard" Malagouzia Florina Greece $18.99 95DC This is the wine I love to give to newbies to Greek wine. Light floral tones of peach blossom and fresh nectarine make for a pure pleasure-in-a-glass quaffer. This is the white that will blow everyone away at your next outdoor gathering.
2023 Iliana Malihin "Lefkos" Rethymno Crete Greece $24.99 Iliana Malahin is emerging as one of the most exciting producers in all of Greece. After just a few years with her winery, she is making some of Crete’s most sought after wines. The Lefkos is a blend Vidiano and Trapsathiri. Mineral-driven with light floral and stone fruit notes, this a great intro to the wines of Crete.
2023 Iliana Malihin "Young Vines" Vidiano Rethymno Crete Greece $31.99 Though these are young vines, there is nothing that is not great about this version of Vidiano. Succulent mineral notes with an oily but lifted texture. Vidiano is highest on my list of grapes to watch.
2022 Kamara Estate “Nimbus Albus” White Macedonia $26.99 This fun little blend marries equal parts Malagousia and Assyrtiko. This is a cool and refreshing white that also checks the boxes for any natural wine drinkers out there.
2023 Mylonas "Naked Truth" Savatiano Attiki Greece (Orange Wine) $18.99 The classic white grape of Greece is Savatiano. This take has seen light skin contact, giving you all the texture and orange wine flavor you could hope for but keeping the overt funk factor at bay. This is a great intro to skin-contact wines.
2023 Troupis "Hoof & Lur" Moschofilero Peloponnese Greece $17.99 One of my favorite grapes from Greece is Moschofilero. It is overtly perfumed with an explosion of night jasmine and honeysuckle, but the wines are dry and have more acidity than other aromatic grapes like Muscat and Gewürztraminer. A great wine to pair with more exotic foods of course, but I still love it with charcoal grilled fish that has a sprinkling of oregano, lemon, and a glug of great olive oil.