Alpha Estate Xinomavro, Hedgehog Vineyard 2022

Appellation: Amynteon, Macedonia, Greece
Vineyard: Hedgehog
Grape(s): Xinomavro
Drinks Best: Now - 5 Years

With over 300 indigenous varietals, Greece offers a stunningly diverse selection of wines. The star grape of Macedonia in the north of Greece is Xinomavro, which tranlates loosely as ‘bitter black.’ The grape’s higher levels of tannin and acidity often draw comparisons to Nebbiolo, and producers like Alpha Estate are showing it deserves such. Located in Amynteon, Greece’s coolest winegrowing region, this single vineyard offering shows the fresher side of the grape’s potential. The wine is aged for one year in barrel and one year in bottle before release to soften the tannins while pulling focus to the fruit flavors of blackberry and dried fig backed by notes of smoke, vanilla, and clove.

Pairings: Moussaka, traditional baked casserole of eggplant and ground lamb