{"title":"Wines of the Peloponnese","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Peloponnese? We don't know where to begin telling the story of this place so loaded with mythology and history! This peninsula seems barely attached to the mainland, dipping its fingers in the Mediterranean. It's home to the city of Argos, considered the oldest in Europe, continuously inhabited for 5,000 years. The peninsula has witnessed encounters between gods and men; it's where Agamemnon, returning from his victory over Troy, was murdered, where Hercules began his twelve labors, where the Spartans were born and where the athletic contests that gave rise to the Olympic Games began, in the great temple dedicated to Zeus, of which only weed-covered ruins remain. Homer called this region \"Ampeloessa\", meaning \"full of vines\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn this mythical land stand small villages with narrow streets, white houses with red tiles, and markets said to be the most beautiful in Greece. They bear as much traces of the Byzantine presence that left monasteries and convents, as of the Venetians who ruled for many years, exporting wine from the Peloponnese to the cities of London, Paris and Florence. Around the inhabited areas, citrus orchards, vast olive groves and vineyards stretch across the valleys, skipping the rocky paths and pebbles over which flocks of goats wander. The soil is white clay. The terrain is rugged, with high plateaus, valleys and plains, allowing for a variety of terroirs. The climate is continental, but allows for several microclimates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround Nemea, the city of wine, also known as \"Little Tuscany\" for its countless hills, some of which reach an altitude of 2,000 meters, vines have been grown for over 3,000 years. There are some 300 grape varieties, 200 of which are indigenous to the region, some of which are thought to date back to Ancient Greece. Whether this is true or not is irrelevant: everything here is part of the myth. But what is certain is that, of these vines planted between 300 and 800 meters, some are centuries old. The best known is Agiorgitiko, which has been present on this terroir for over 3,000 years, and is nicknamed \"Saint George\" or \"Blood of Hercules\" in reference to the blood of the lion killed by the Hero. Here, even grapes are part of the imaginary!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"giannikos-windmill-2021","title":"Giannikos Windmill 2021","description":"\u003ch4\u003eBoth complex and well structured, this organic Greek white appeals to those who like to go off the beaten tracks.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho on earth has heard of malagousia? Few people have. Yet, in a world where generic Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc too often dominate our bottle choices, this refreshing and intriguing white grape varietal from northern Greece is worth a try. Better still, it's a real pleasure to taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its straw-yellow color, it offers a rather mineral initial nose, which then gives way to nice citrus scents, before finishing with aromas of ripe apricots and roses. Round and silky on the palate, it also reveals very pleasant notes of garrigue and rosemary. Throughout, it retains a lovely acidity, making it the ideal companion to ceviches or seafood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew people are familiar with malagousia, as with the 350 to 400 indigenous grape varietals found in Greece, because this Mediterranean wine country has long given priority to volume over quality. It was only in the 1970s and 1980s that a few pioneers took an interest in their winegrowing heritage. In 1996, Michalis Giannikos, who had just inherited this estate located in Mycenae in the Peloponnese region, followed this trend, taking over the old family business (the estate dates back to 1896). However, he modernized the winery, introducing new techniques while planting vines in the Corinth region, a narrow strip of land that connects the Peloponnese to mainland Greece and from which this wine originates. Today, his vineyards cover eight hectares, all of which are organically grown. Michalis Giannikos is also an aficionado of single-varietal wines, such as this 100% Malagousia, which has been repeatedly praised by the critics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vins du Monde","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46901986656595,"sku":"0088","price":19.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/Anemomyage.png?v=1691422164"},{"product_id":"giannikos-at-sea-2021","title":"Giannikos At Sea 2021","description":"\u003ch4\u003eThe wine's name \"En Plo\" on the label refers to nautical vocabulary indicating that the sea voyage is going well.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis white is a 100% Roditis, an indigenous Greek grape variety. The color is pale lemon. The nose is fine and ripe, intensely aromatic with fresh notes of grapefruit and melon. Slender and fresh on the palate, with ripe, concentrated fruit and crisp acidity. The finish carries on with even greater energy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1896, Greece rekindled the olympic flame by hosting the first modern international Olympic Games. That same year, the Giannikos family put down roots in the ancient city of Mycenae, where the country's viticulture was born almost 4,000 years ago. One hundred years after the estate was founded, Michalis Giannikos rebuilt his winery after a terrible fire and continued to modernize the property. The Giannikos vineyards features native Greek grape varieties (Roditis, Agiorgitiko, Malagousia) as well as a number of international varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Viognier) and produces 9 single-varietal vintages. The 8-hectare vineyards on the Mycenae and Corinth terroirs, planted with olive and orange trees, are farmed organically and cooled by the Mediterranean winds.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vins du Monde","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47456556384595,"sku":"0071","price":18.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/AtSea.png?v=1705318975"},{"product_id":"gaia-notios-rouge-2022","title":"Gaia Nōtios Red 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eGaia Notios Red was created to highlight the potential of indigenous Greek grape varieties. It is a surprisingly vibrant and spicy young wine.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA blend of Greek Agiorgitiko (85% - often compared to French Merlot) and Syrah (15%), this wine is produced from exceptionally ripe grapes grown in a low-yield, non-irrigated vineyard in the hills surrounding the Néméa wine region. In this blend, Agiorgitiko lends its intense fruit aroma and soft tannins, while Syrah, perfectly adapted to the region's climate, provides its rich, spicy character. The wine is deep and rich, yet refined, with notes of juicy plum, black cherry, liquorice, caramel and then evolves into menthol, chocolate and spice flavors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaia Wines is the result of a collaboration between Leon Karatsalos, an agricultural engineer, and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, one of Greece's leading wine figures. In 1994, they began producing their first wine on the island of Santorini in the Cyclades. In 1996, they took possession of an estate in the Koutsi region of Nemea in the Peloponnese. The concept was simple but bold: explore the limits of grape varieties in the two chosen regions and, with this expertise, produce exquisite wines. And the gamble paid off!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Valade \u0026 Transandine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47459082994003,"sku":"0405B","price":12.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/GaiaNotios_Red.png?v=1705400975"},{"product_id":"gaia-notios-blanc-2022","title":"Gaia Nōtios White 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eA wine of surprising complexity, vibrant acidity and a mineral finish.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade from 3 indigenous Greek grape varieties, here is a beautiful combination of exotic and floral tones with grapefruit and peach pit character. This blend of traditional Greek grape varieties produces a light, fresh and elegant wine. Moschofilero (40%) brings lively, floral flavors, Roditis (40%) gives a sweet, zesty citrus character and Assyrtiko (20%) offers wonderful complexity, vibrant acidity and a touch of minerality. A light, refreshing cuvée!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaia Wines is the result of a collaboration between Leon Karatsalos, an agricultural engineer, and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, one of Greece's leading wine figures. In 1994, they began producing their first wine on the island of Santorini in the Cyclades. In 1996, they took possession of an estate in the Koutsi region of Nemea in the Peloponnese. The concept was simple but bold: explore the limits of grape varieties in the two chosen regions and, with this expertise, produce exquisite wines. And the gamble paid off!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Valade \u0026 Transandine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47459083026771,"sku":"0207","price":12.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/GaiaNotios_White.png?v=1705401864"},{"product_id":"gaia-agiorgitiko-by-gaia-2022","title":"Gaia Agiorgitiko by Gaia 2022","description":"\u003ch4\u003eAgiorgitiko owes its name to a Byzantine church in Nemea dedicated to Saint George. It is also sometimes referred to as the \"Blood of Hercules\".\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAgiorgitiko by Gaia is made from grapes (100% Agiorgitiko) from a 40-year-old plot in the semi-mountainous town of Koutsi in Nemea, at an altitude of 450 to 550 meters on a steep slope. This vineyard is strictly pruned to reduce the number of fertile buds. With its deep cherry-red color, this well-structured wine has intense aromas of ripe fruit (ripe black cherries, plums) as well as herbaceous spices and a subtly warm note of toast. The wine is perfectly matured (8 months in barrels, then 6 months in bottles). Fruity on the palate, tasty and full-bodied. Tannins are mature and very well integrated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaia Wines is the result of a collaboration between Leon Karatsalos, an agricultural engineer, and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, one of Greece's leading wine figures. In 1994, they began producing their first wine on the island of Santorini in the Cyclades. In 1996, they took possession of an estate in the Koutsi region of Nemea in the Peloponnese. The concept was simple but bold: explore the limits of grape varieties in the two chosen regions and, with this expertise, produce exquisite wines. And the gamble paid off!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Valade \u0026 Transandine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47459083092307,"sku":"0313","price":18.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/files\/GaiaAgiorgitiko.png?v=1706693760"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/4847\/4451\/collections\/pelopp-web_62d47cc3-fbbd-4d03-aac2-fcd3a4185f90.jpg?v=1695818491","url":"https:\/\/www.altcellars.ie\/collections\/vins-peloponnese.oembed","provider":"ALTCELLARS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}