Yannis Assyrtiko

My expectations were elevated for this wine, given the hype surrounding Assyrtiko (as the go-to Greek grape for white lovers) and Santorini wines, in general. It was definitely not a bad wine, with a nice mineral dryness (think the volcanic rock that is Santorini) with a nice citrus sweetness to match. The finish is good but its acidity didn't jive with my palate. Maybe a better pairing would save this one: seafood or salty, spicy tapas instead of my slightly too sweet Asian-inspired lettuce chicken wraps.

I noticed the similar Nykteri (pressed at night) from the same winery for sale this weekend. I'll have to pick that one up next time I'm replenishing whites. Maybe I'll like that one better, or maybe I'm just a Moschofilero man.

I received the Assyrtiko as a gift, but I imagine it retails for around $14 most places.

For those of us that think galaktoboureko is mandatory Thanksgiving fare

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120738560

Achaia Clauss Chateau Clauss (Πύργος Clauss) 2003

This is one of those fun wines that you can open up for a meal and let its flavors come out as breathes while you eat and drink. It's a little funkier than other Greek wines I've tasted mostly due to its herby nose. This herbiness (and the importer's site)leads me to believe that the blend is Cabernet Sauvignon and Agiorgitiko (the label says its Cabernet/Mavrodaphne).

The pour gives you a lively, deep purple color, and your tongue grabs onto the soft tannins which provide balance between the mineral herbiness and the touch of red fruit. This wine has spent some time in oak so the 2003 is still good to drink. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a more recent vintage anywhere. I've got a few bottles still aging (I bought it on sale for $10...regular price should be about $12-still a good value), but will likely uncork most of them in 2010.

For pairings, the obvious are red meat and super-sharp cheeses. I think it would work well with a hearty red pasta sauce as well. Bottom line, if you can find it, give it a shot.

2005 Lafkioti Rodamo Red

This wine has moved near the top of my list by providing very good quality at an affordable price. It balances the Greek varietal Agiorgitiko, which thrives in the Peloponnesian Nemea appelation, with the famed French Cabernet.

The wine is labeled as Local Korinthian red wine by its producers, Lafkiotis winery in ancient Kleoni whose marketing heavily reminds of us the history and geography embedded in Greek wines.

They age the Rodamo for about 10 months in French oak to give it the balanced taste that appealed to me so much. Nice fruit notes come out with an amount of earthiness and an edge on the tannins. Since it's part Cabernet, that left me wondering what this 2005 vintage might be like in another year or two. Hopefully, Robert at Asadur's has procured a few more cases of this because I'd like to grab a few more bottles to enjoy in 2010 and perhaps '11.

Try it as soon as you can find it. Maybe with a rich red sauce and pasta.

It cost me $10.75...that's hard to beat

2005 Laloudi Moschofilero-Roditis

I was hoping this wine would be better. It wasn't bad, but it just seemed too light and bit empty to me. I bought it because its blend of Moschofilero (probably 80%) and Roditis intrigued me, and in the glass its pale-yellow color looked delicious. On the palate, the touch of sweet citrus was nice, but didn't offer much else.

From the other reviews I've read, if I can find this one again, I would go for a later vintage (like 2008) and open it about an hour before drinking. I hope that would bring out its subtle flavors. It would be worth it just for comparison's sake.

I got it from my Greek wine guy for $13, which for me is too high for a wine I didn't like that much.

INO Semi Sweet Red

I didn't expect to like this one nearly as much as I did. I remember liking it a few years ago (the days when I was so shocked to find Greek wine anywhere I'd buy it), but I must have bought a few bottles when it was on sale and forgotten about them since them. It certainly lives up to its semi-sweet label so proceed appropriately if you normally dislike sweeter reds. It tastes a tad sweet, red-fruity but provides smooth and balanced refreshment. Serve it with a good chill (recommended on the label as 59-64 degrees...i'd take that range down 5 degrees) for those weekend afternoons/early evenings. No pairing recommendations from my trial--but I'd imagine it's best with mixed light appetizers or even by itself.

It's labeled as country wine of Greece..originating in the "foothills surrounding Thebes in central Greece. It's the inviting mix the French varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache Rouge and Carignan. In the US (or at least in my area), I think it's bottled and imported as this....You can find it at Cleveland Park Wines and Spirits (apparently) or try Asadur's in Rockville (I refer to the owner of Asadur as my Greek wine guy---also my olive oil guy and my Feta guy and my Nescafe guy..you get the idea).

Also, INO's straightforward labeling and good value make it a favorite wine to serve at DC area Greek festivals.

I'm wondering if it's sold in other countries as Melodikos. In any case, if you're looking for a sweeter red in the 10-12$ range, this might be one.

2003 Achaia Clauss Nemea Agiorgitiko

Hailing from the northeastern Peloponnesos in Nemea, this dry red from the 2003 vintage is definitely worth taking a look at. Made from the Agiorgitiko, as most reds from this region are, it comes off as a bit fruity upfront with sour cherry flavors coming through. After being open for a bit, the slight hint of oak comes out (it's aged in oak for a year). It comes together as an almost-too-easy to drink red with very soft tannins.

Probably versatile enough to drink on its own or even with pasta, chicken and meaty dishes.

I have a few bottles of the 2003 vintage, which I think are perfectly ready to drink now..and I doubt that will be hard since they are so good. I also have a bottle of the 2005, which I might save until next year.

And good news: if you can find this, it should retail for about $10 or $11...an excellent Greek wine at that price. I got it at the county liquore store, which tends to have odd Greek wine picks, so I'm not sure how widely available this is currently. The 2005 might be easier to find and likely a good bet too...that review will be coming up.