In a Glass of its Own
Sofia Perpera shares her personal wine picks with Athens Insider:
Which wine would you take to…
A dinner party?
To strike a celebratory mood, I might take one of the excellent sparkling wines being produced in Greece (White sparklers from Moschofilero or Debina and rosé sparkling from Xinomavro). Or perhaps a lovely rosé made from an Agiorgitiko, from the Peloponnese, which also goes well with pasta, legumes and meat courses.
For the sweet tooth – Greece has been making some of the best sweet wines since ancient times – I’d recommend an aged Muscat or a dark, luscious Vinsanto.
A summer barbecue?
A fresh Agiorgitiko from Nemea.
A romantic evening?
An Assyrtiko from Santorini.
Your favourite Athens wine bar currently is …?
Probably Heteroclito, but I also really love going to By the Glass, Vintage and Oenoscent.
Can you give us a best-value-for-money Greek wine recommendation?
Greek wines offer an excellent ratio of price to quality. For example, a Xinomavro of similar quality to a red Burgundy or Barolo is but a fraction of their price, due to the fact that they are still relatively unknown. Assyrtikos from Santorini are similar in style to a Premier Cru Chablis, but can be had for a 3rd of the price, although demand for Santorini wines is beginning to drive prices up.
And finally, a “good investment for collectors” recommendation?
Whites from Santorini that can age at a minimum from 5-10years and beyond. Reds such as reserve Agiorgitikos can go for a decade or more, while wines from Xinomavro can go for several years developing layers of complexity the older they get.
Sofia Perpera, is an Enologist and Director of the Greek Wine Bureau-North America, www.newwinesofgreece.com
