THE BEST RED WINES FOR SPRING
Spring is just around the corner and I hope better days are comming. Sunshine days, a bit higher temperatures and a walk in the countryside (finally) will be good for all of us. As long as the mood changes, there are many who will choose to drink rose and aromatic white wines, but some of us cannot give up red wines. So, I will do us a favor and I will suggest you the best red wines for Spring, with plenty of fruit, soft tannins and medium (approximately) body that you can enjoy plain or even slightly chilled. Let's go!
Limniona
Okay, it’s not a secret anymore that Limniona makes juicy and fruity reds, with crisp acidity and fine tannins! Many winelovers compare it to Pinot Noir but I think Limniona has its own story to tell. Either in fresh or in aged versions, Limniona gives elegant and delicious wines that can accompany even fish! My favorites are Limniona Domaine Karanika but also the super juicy Limniona Oenops Wines.
Pinot Noir
Red fruit, earthy dimension, refreshing acidity and medium tannins make Pinot noir one of the most beloved red varieties in the world. It loves cool climates and gives its best in Burgundy, although lately, America has shown some excellent examples. I will suggest you the 3 that I love to drink, slightly chilled. First, the Orivatis Pinot Noir Akriotou Winery, with freshness and great value for money. Second, the inconceivable Pinot Noir J. Christopher Willamete Valley. Third, the affordable and delicious Burgundy Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes Maison Albert Bichot.
Mencia
Mencia, the queen of Bierzo in Spain, is an amazing red variety that gives wines with red and black fruit, floral and botanical character, with medium body and velvety tannins. Every Mencia that I have already tried convinced me that Mencia is one of the varieties that will occupy us a lot in the future. If you have not tried it yet, I will suggest two that will make you fall in love with the variety forever: Ultreia Raul Perez and La Poulosa Raul Perez.
Liatiko
Liatiko, from Iouliatiko, is the most elegant red Cretan variety. It gives wines with cherry character, medium body and very mellow tannins. Slightly cooler, it is so enjoyable that I would comfortably drink it by the sea. It also goes uniquely with grilled octopus and shrimp pasta (when I say by the sea, I mean it). I suggest you try Petali Liatiko Diamantakis Winery and Kompsos Liatiko Karavitakis Winery.
Agiorgitiko
The famous variety of Nemea, Agiorgitiko, in addition to rich red wines, also makes elegant reds with little or no oak or even Beaujolais - style wines. Depending on the duration of extraction and the aging vessel, it can make very different wine styles. Petalo Gofas Estate, for example, is made with carbonic maceration, (the Beaujolais style I mentioned above) and thus it occurs a juicy red wine with aromas of sour cherry, cherry, toffee and bubble gum, which is drunk chilled and passionately. On the other hand, Nemea Aivalis Winery, has rich, ripe red and black fruit, discreet oak notes, medium but juicy tannins and along with a few cheeses and cold cuts you will not understand how fast you emptied the glass.
The fresh ones
Well, this is a category in itself, since it concerns several varieties that are transformed depending on the way of vinification. Wines that age in stainless steel tanks or amphoras or in very large oak barrels and maintain the freshness and purity of the fruit, are a great must for the Spring - Summer season. I will give you some examples that are worth having in your cellar. First and foremost, the adored Aiora Moschopolis Winery, which combines Syrah - Xinomavro - Mavrotragano and aging in amphora. Mavro Kalavrytino Nature Tetramythos Winery is the most delicate version of the variety, with aging in oak tanks and mild vinification techniques. Finally, Mademoiselle Haritatos Vineyard shows us that Mavrodafni can be both fresh and young and extremely enjoyable!
Eva Markaki
Wine Geek
