25th
Martiou 101, Paralia Patron, Patras, 26500 Greece Tel: +30 (0) 1525459
Greek wines are attracting a lot of interest in the UK at the
moment. Oddbins, in particular, has been promoting them heavily and carries a large range.
This was a fascinating selection of wines from one of the better known quality producers,
but I would have to say that the quality on offer is not as uniformly high as you would
expect for the prices (£10 for the Chardonnay and New oak, £5-7 for the other wines). My
favourite was the appallingly named 'New Oak'.
Chardonnay Antonopoulos 1998
This is barrel fermented and aged in 100% new oak. Big nose of honey and caramel; quite
savoury but unusual. I found it too quirky for my tastes.
Cabernet New Oak 1997
A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Dense purple/black colour. Intense,
medicinal nose that is odd but nice. On the palate there is plenty of dense, tannic fruit
coupled with new oak. A concentrated, raw wine. Very good.
Private Collection 1997
70% St George 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright purple colour. Concentrated, herby, medicinal
wine with a lifted, complex and bretty nose. Very good, but quite funky.
Mantinia 1998
This is a clean, fresh white wine that has been grown at a higher altitude (800 m). Plenty
of fresh, waxy fruit, but a bit simple for my tastes.
Rhoditis Alepou 1998
From Patras, 100% Rhoditis grapes. An exotic, nutty nose and a nutty, waxy palate. Clean
and tasty.
Adoli Ghis 1998
Full flavoured white with a nutty nose and clean, fresh palate. Good, but won't turn too
many heads. Grown at 680 m altitude.
(Tasted November 1999)