Athenee Importers Tasting: GAI'A & Argyros Vineyards

Tuesday afternoon I attended the Athenee Importers tasting held at a voce in the Time Warner Center which featured selected producers from their portfolio of Greek wines. Two producers from Santorini were present: GAI'A Wines and Agyros Vineyards.

The crowd was made up of an eclectic mix of industry insiders who filtered in throughout the day allowing for ample tasting space without the feeling of being rushed.

GAI'A wines attracted quite a crowd to the point where I almost felt I needed to jump behind the tasting table and help winemaker Yiannis Paraskevopolos pour. "GAI'A (pronounced yeai-ah) is a joint venture be Leon Karatsclos and Yiannis Paraskevopolos, who founded the company in 1994. In just a few decades, the winery has become one of the most famous in Greece, receiving consistent praise in international wine publications. GAI'A produces wine on the island of Santorini and in Upper Nemea."

The featured wines included a selection of 9 wines: Norios White 2008, Thalassitis 2008, Assyticko Wild Ferment 2009, Ritinitis Nobilis Retsina, 14-18h Rose 2009, Notios Red 2008, Agiogitiko by GAI'A 2008, GAI'A Estate 2006 and Anatoliko 2000 which was a sweet wine made from sun-dried Agiogitiko grapes.

Of particular note from this line up is the Thalassitis 2008 made from Assyrtiko: "Mouthwateringly fresh with gentle, appley fruit and a firm, crisp finish, this is the kind of wine that invites you to have another mouthful of some light, summery food, then another sip, and another, until you wonder where it's gone"

We also enjoyed the 14-18h Rose 2009 made from Agiorgitko grapes, very light in color and filled with good cherry and strawberry fruit, served slightly chilled.

Across the tasting room Agyros Vineyards was also a crowd favorite. Here, the winery featured six wines: Atlantis White 2008, Assyrtiko 2009, Estate Argyros 2007, Atlantic Red 2007, Vin Santo Mezzo 2002 and Vin Santo 1989.

I have no had very much exposure to Vin Santo so it was interesting to taste the differences between the 2002 and 1989 vintages. Both were quite delicious- balanced acidity with intense raisony characteristics. The 1989 vintage had a much heavier body and a roasted characteristic to it while the 2002 was showing much more acidity and a thinner body.

We also really enjoyed the Atlantis White 2008. Very crisp acidity, medium body, perfect for food (seafood) and sun!

Overall, the tasting was a great success. It was a great experience to be able to taste these two producers as well as several other producers in Greece representing indigenous grapes and winemaking styles.

Have you had a Greek wine lately?