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Product Name
Vintage
Price
Varietal
Country
Region
Appellation
Size
Additional Discount
Better Price
2019
$23.90
Xinomavro
Greece
Macedonia
Naousa
750ml
12B / $23.42
Similar Price, Better Score
2019
$30.40
Xinomavro
Greece
Macedonia
750ml
More Details
Winery
Argatia
Vintage: 2009
Despite less than ideal climatic conditions, featuring storms which threatened an otherwise perfect year, most parts of California had an excellent year for viticulture. Chardonnays and Sauvignon Blancs were picked at optimum ripeness, and Californian white wine was just about as good as it could be. Surprises and overcoming difficulties summed up much of the United States' wine industry in 2009, and many of the results from Oregon, Washington State and all over California speak for themselves, with the flagship Cabernet Sauvignon grapes having developed healthy, thick skins and thus plenty of character and distinction. Elsewhere in the New World, South Africa had a very good year in 2009, and wineries across the cape of the African continent are proclaiming it a truly great vintage.
In most of Europe, fine weather and punctual ripening periods produced some excellent wines, with many of the best coming out of France's Bordeaux and the surrounding regions. Merlot had an exceptionally good year in France, and wineries are proclaiming that the 2009 Merlot harvest was one of the best in living memory. Indeed, across most of France, ripening was relatively even, and red wine grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Syrah and others were reportedly highly characterful, with plenty of the required tannin levels with which to make high quality wines. Italy, too, had a very good 2009. Piedmont reported extremely favorable conditions throughout 2009, and their signature Nebbiolo grapes were more or less perfect when harvested, having benefited from the slight drop in temperature at the end of their ripening period. Veneto, too, had an enviable year, producing superb Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay wines in 2009.
Varietal: Xinomavro
In Macedonia and many parts of mountainous Greece, the dry and arid landscape have proven to be an ideal home for the Xinomavro varietal grape. This native varietal has been cultivated and processed for over a thousand years in this part of Europe, and is beginning to be experimented with elsewhere in the world where the climatic conditions are suitable for its type. The name of the grape means 'acid black' in Greek, referring to both the color of the skin, and the fact that this particular varietal holds a relatively high acid content. However, the Xinomavro grape is most widely celebrated for its tannin-rich character, which makes it an ideal grape for barrel aging This process reveals many of the wonderful flavors and aromas the complex Xinomavro grape holds, and is a real treat for lovers of dark and interesting red wines.
Country: Greece
Thanks to thousands of years of viticulture, and a dedication to quality and experimentation, Greek wines remain in a league of their own and continue to surprise and delight wine lovers around the world. From the refined and delicious Agiorghitiko wines, with their deep ruby red color and intense fruit flavors, to the unusual and highly aromatic fortified wines made with the black Mavrodaphne grapes, Greek wine is renowned for its variety and consistent excellence. It seems the blazing Mediterranean sunshine allows wineries to make the most of the late harvests and all the intensity of flavor this brings, resulting in wines which are bursting with fruit-forward character and unusual aromas.