Estate Papaioannou Saint George Organic Dry Red 100% Agiorgitiko P.D.O Nemea

Estate Papaiouanno are experts in working with Greece’s most famous grape – Agiorgitiko, meaning St George, with wines made from this grape known as ‘The

Blood of Hercules’. The P.D.O red wine comes from Nemea, Corinthia in the Peloponnese on mainland Greece. The agiogitiko grape is classically juicy and velvety, grown on vines in limestone and schist red soils. The grapes for this wine are picked in early august. The grapes are mechanically de-stemmed before undergoing classical red fermentation in red brick tanks, used from the beginning of the winery in 1830. The must contact with the red brick gives the wine an earthy well rounded flavour, and in combination with the grape, instils a deep ruby red colour.

The typicality of the grape is widely revealed in this wine, displaying a generous and concentrated nose of ripe plums and red cherries. Full-bodied and velvety with graceful, well integrated tannins, it ends on notes of mocha, nutmeg and leather, pairing perfectly with all kinds of meats, stews or cheeses. Following fermentation, the must is decanted to separate out the marc, without mechanical filtration. The wine is organic due to the cultivation methods used in the vineyards, and the low amount (approx. 20mg) of sulphite added in the wine making process. The wine is casked in a mixture of used French and American oak for 6 months, then aged in the bottle for 6 more. The ageing process imparts subtle flavours of spice and vanilla into the wine. The wine is bottled unfiltered, using a minimal amount (approx. 30mg) of sulphite.

The ideal introduction to wine from Greece’s largest wine region and definitely and huge hit amongst wine lovers keen on round, full-bodied wines where fruit isn’t overshadowed by the presence of oak.

Is this wine right for you?

Colour: Red

Taste: Dry

Body: Medium to Full

Acidity: Medium                                                           

Ageing: 12 months in Oak Barrels and 6 additional months in the bottle

Alc./Volume: 13%

Wine Type: Organic, unfiltered and low sulphite

Ageing Potential: 8 to 10 years

Storage: Store in a cool dry place

Serving Temperature: 16 – 18°C or chilled at 10 - 13°C if serving with salads, fish or as an aperitif.

Best paired with: Meaty fish dishes, roasted meats marinated and/or cooked in sauces, BBQ meat. Aged and smoked cheeses, chocolate desserts.