heteroclito cave & bar a vin

G R E E K V I N E Y A R D MONEMVASIA …THEWHITECOMEBACK This white variety can easi ly trick us. It is ca lled Monemvasia but it is the white Queen of Paros and plays the leading role in a ll PDO wines of the island, white, red and sweet ones. The truth is that it made its first appearance in Monemvasia around 1300-1400 A.D. Together with the celebrated Ma lvazia wine they dom- inated the area of Lakonia for a cer- tain period and then it disappeared for many years. Now it comes back to its birthplace and produces nice wines. It has an explosive citrus bouquet combined with scents of white flesh fruits. Its taste has hints of minera ls with a fresh aftertaste. It is easily oxidised but wine producers seem to have per- fected its use. Tips White wines are best served at 12- 14 °C and the red ones at 18 °C. Best matches: Sa lads for the white and red meat for the red. It can age and after 3 years, it wi ll surprise you. MUSCAT …WHITESWEETNESS For those who are fond of juicy and aromatic wines, Muscat is the best choice. According to studies, it first arrived at Samos from Asia Minor in the 16th century and found friend- ly soil and in particular, those hill- side vineyards it prefers. It pro- duces fragrant dry wines and great world-renowned sweet wines not only in Samos but a lso in Patras, Rio (in West Greece), Cepha lonia and Rhodes. Dry wines release pleasant scents of lychee, rose, yellow fruits and citrus fruits. Sweet wi-nes are pure nectar, with robust scents of honey, fruit marma lades, spices and dry nuts. It has an oi ly mouth feel that oscillates between sweetness and acidity. It comes as no surprise that when they participate in inter- nationa l contests these wines re- ceive the highest scores and distinc- tions. All wine producing countries have succumbed to their charms. Tips Sweet Muscat wines are best served at 8-10 °C. You must of course pair them with some kind of pastry like kadaifi, ravani or sweet preserves. As far as ageing is concerned, we be- lieve that the older it gets the better it gets. MUSCATOFSPINA …MUSCATREVISITED The name revea ls that this variety is a very close relative of the adored and renowned Muscat of Samos. It a lso revea ls that it comes from the community of Spina, province of Selino, Crete. Like its famous rela- tive, this variety has numerous aro- matic virtues, strong fruity charac- ter and nice acidity. The difference between these two varieties is that Muscat of Spina has thinner grape skin. In Crete it is used for the pro- duction of yellow-green dry wines and amber coloured sweet wines. Tips Dry wines are best served at 10- 12 °C whi le the sweet ones prefer temperatures between 8-10 °C. It loves white cheese, dry nuts and honey-based sweets. It can be kept for 4-5 years. Projecten_Layout 1 10/25/2012 4:55 PM Page 15