Grilled (Greek) Cheese:
Some like it hot -
and creamy.
With cheese this delicious, who needs bread?... By Amy Wentz
Juicy Culture: Concentrating on
the healthy benefits
of Greece's main squeeze... By Elena Fotiadi
The Restaurant at the End of the Atoll: You know a cuisine has gone global when you overhear
a Sri Lankan waiter explain the basics of Greek yogurt
dip to a German tourist on a postage stamp-sized
island in the Maldives. ... By Ellen Gooch
Greek Wine Guide:
Senior brand manager at W.S. Karoulias, Ioannis Koulelis is one of the leading experts on Greeka... By Ioannis Koulelis
Sweets, Uncorked
When one thinks of all the great wines out there today,
it is easy to gloss over the fact that many of them are dessert wines. ... by Sam Nelom
Last Look: Evil Eye Do you believe in magic? The Greeks certainly do,
and have for millennia. The specific magic they believe in is called the evil eye. Hesiod, Callimachus and Plato wrote about it, to name a few credible sources. ...
2005 Sitia (Grape Varietal: Liatiko, 14% alcohol): A deep ruby-brick red color, with notes of apricot, tangerine, cherry pie, pomegranate, and bresaola on the nose.
In the mouth, it has delicious cherry pie notes with very light, almost ethereal, tannins. Very long with a dry,
persistent finish. Compares similarly to a Maury from southwestern France, and not unfavorably!
Recommended.
NV Apilotis Sigalas Mezzo (Mandilaria, 9%): A deep plum color, this wine has aromatics of boysenberry and mountain fruit, with hints of stewed plum. In the mouth, it is all cassis syrup, with some notes of black raspberry. On the finish, it is all stewed plum and…concord grapes. Welch’s grape juice meets blackberry Schnapps?
Not recommended.
1999 Santorini Vin Santo (Blend of Asyritko, Athiri, and Aidani, 13%): Taking a break from the deep red wines to move onto Vin Santo, which, of course, is a famous Italian wine! Very interested to see how the Greeks do with this. Deeply amber in color, rich and full-bodied, with a nose of honey, spice, and walnut shells. On the palate, it shows candied figs and honeycomb…not overdone on the sweetness or sugar level, with medium viscosity. Very good finish. It’s a good effort, but hopefully, it won’t be the same price level as the same wine from Italy! Recommended, with reservations.
2003 Domaine Sigalas Vin Santo (Blend of Asyritko and Aidani, 10%): Another Vin Santo, this one caramel-amber in color. The nose sings of apricot, tangerine, and marmalade. On the palate, it has great viscosity, once again, with flavors of baked apricot and a hint of orange peel. Nice finish with white flowers and apricot notes lingering. Somewhat more like a Passito
than a Vin Santo but one can take the bait…if the price is right! Recommended, with reservations.
2002 Samos Anthemis Eossamoy (Muscat, 15%): Chestnut blond in color, somewhat tawny. The bouquet is quite intoxicating, with orange marmalade scents and notes of walnut and butterscotch. Nice, round, and pleasant in the mouth, with complex flavors of hazelnuts, orange zest, and honey. Very nice,
not cloying, even on the finish, with a bit of walnut shell coming into play. Matched against some quality aged Australian Muscats, this will do well. Recommended.
NV Amandia Rodos (Mandilaria, 19%): A fortified wine, we can assume; and, with its red mahogany color, we can also gather that it will compare to a Port or Sherry. That’s where the comparison fades. The nose is of cinnamon and burnt coffee, the palate of toffee with baked apples. Very unpleasant, bitter finish. Not recommended.
2002 Canava Roussos Vin Santo (Blend of Asyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, 9.8%): Medium amber in color, with a nose of bright peaches and butter pecan with a hint of menthol. On the palate, it is lovely, with fantastic viscosity and notes of blood orange and caramel, with a persistent finish. This would stand up well against any Italian version of the wine. Recommended.
2007 Samos Vin Doux (Muscat, 15%): Excellent color, like 24 karat gold with bronze highlights! The nose screams plump figs with candied apricot, notes that continue on the palate with crushed peach and mandarin flavors. The finish is long and notes of bitter orange and tangerine linger. Wow. Very much like a Passito,
and compares very well! Recommended.
NV Moeyator Ahmnoy La Terra Muscat of Limnos (15%): From a cooperative grower. The color of flaxen straw. Great nose of mandarin oranges and creamy butter. On the palate, sings of bitter orange and tangerine. Very refreshing and light, with a lingering note of honey on the finish. Not cloying, just very lively. Botrytis Semillon from Australia, if you’d like!.
Recommended.
NV N’Ama Mylopotamos (Blend of Muscat, Merlot, 14%): Garnet in color. The nose is of cherry cough syrup and blue cheese. Very bitter cherry flavors, with notes of green vegetables, continue on the mid-palate through the finish. Cannot even identify what they were trying to do here. Not recommended.
2006 Cair Rodos Muscat de Rhodes (15%): Medium-straw in color. Notes of mint, white flowers, and lanolin play on the bouquet, with delicious spearmint, peach, and apricot flavors in the mouth. Gorgeous acidity. Very well done. Recommended. e
