Two Sides of Greece: Crisp White & Savory Red
If Greece isn’t already part of your regular rotation, consider this your nudge. These two wines from Achaia Cellars offer a beautifully clear snapshot of what makes Greek wine so lovely. There is a real sense of history that is married closely with more contemporary winemaking technology and styles which has truly revitalized Greek wines over the last few decades. Once upon a time, Retsina was the best known product on the market. The world of wine has significantly changed.
2024 Achaia Cellars Assyrtiko, Peloponnese Assyrtiko has earned its reputation as one of the great white grapes of the Mediterranean. Bright and saline, this is a wine that hums with energy. Think citrus peel, crushed stone, and a subtle herbal edge, all wrapped around a core of bracing acidity.
What makes this version especially appealing to me is the value and the balance. As Assyrtiko has become more known, prices have crept up on the most famous wineries. Still coming in at a mid-teens price point, this is a great substitute for your everyday Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a natural with oysters and simply grilled fish, but is also a beautiful glass of wine on it’s own.
2020 Achaia Cellars Xinomavro – Naoussa If Assyrtiko is all about brightness and lift, Xinomavro is its brooding, complex counterpart. I often consider this to be comparable to Nebbiolo, this is a wine built on structure and nuance. The 2020 shows classic notes of dried cherry, tomato leaf, olive, and spice, with firm tannins and a long, savory finish and still with a long life ahead of it.
There’s a rustic elegance here that rewards a little patience, whether that means giving it time in the glass or pairing it with food. Remember that these are wines that were considered food at one point, so not only do they sing with food, they demand it, in my opinion. Lamb, braised dishes, or anything with Mediterranean herbs will make this wine sing.
Greek wines continue to overdeliver, offering distinctive flavors and serious quality without the price tags of more famous regions. These two bottles couldn’t be more different stylistically, but they share a common thread: authenticity. They taste like where they come from, and that’s the whole point.
