Need Help with this Greek Wine List

Hi all. No real knowledge of Greek wines, but heading to dinner at Pylos in the E Village tonight. Does anyone have enough knowledge to make some recommendations from this list?

Thx,
Drew

https://pylosrestaurant.com/wine/
Pylos Wine List

I used to import some Greek wines, not these, but know enough about them to offer some thoughts:

Santorini: Sigalas is excellent, price probably fair, I don’t know the other producer but both are made entirely from Assyrtico, the best local white and maybe the best Greek white grape (although there are hundreds).

In brief, Nemea (made from Aghioritiko) is a stand-in for Cabernet types. Naoussa (made from Xynomavro) is a stand-in for Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo. I’ve had the Chrisohoou, it’s a decent entry-level version. The blended Rapsani will have more meat on the bones and is probably the best btg red.

Moschofilero, despite the name, is probably not related to Muscat. It’s aromatic, nowhere near as perfumy, a very pleasing white but not on the level of the Assyrticos.

To both learn and enjoy, you probably want to stick to the Greek grapes, not the international ones or even the Greek / international blends.

Enjoy.

Dan Kravitz

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I don’t drink a lot of greek wine but this is terrific:

GEROVASSILIOU MALAGOUZIA

It is similar to a Viognier.

https://www.gerovassiliou.gr/en/wines/malagousia

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Why? All Greek to you?

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oh man, imagine being a somm here and how often guests use this joke. they’re probably all on suicide watch.

Imagine BEING Greek! :smile:

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The Sigalas is usually pretty excellent.
I went to a tasting with Mr Gerovassiliou years ago, the eponymous wines plus the Biblia Chora, where he was co-owner. Several on this list. The Malagouzia was fun, I believe they said they had saved the variety. I was surpised my favorite wine of the night was the Assytriko/Semillon blend, the Ovilos. Kind of like a big white Bordeaux. Personally I’d really avoid their international red blend.

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Thanks, all! I knew the board would cime in and help me out! :smiley:

Drew

I think Dan covered it well in the post I’m replying to.

I will say that if you pick an Assyrtiko and decide for whatever reason not to go with Sigalas, then pick the other one from Santorini, not the one from Macedonia.

Santorini’s Assyrtiko terroir is really unique.

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Deinfitly sold on the Sigalas!

Anyone have thoughts on the ARETI VIVLIA HORA. kavala macedonia 2013? Need a red as well.

slightly off topic but next time you are craving Greek food and are in that part of town, check out The Greek in Tribeca. Its an AMAZING spot and I make it a point to visit there evert time I am in New York…

Food is delicious and I feel like I am back in Athens when I walk through the door…

I’ve never had it, or had any Aghioritiko from there. Outside of its home territory, on the other end of the country. But bottle age is attractive. The Xynomavro from Thessaly is closer to home turf and might be a good option.

Dan Kravitz

I’ve had the Santo Santorini. If it’s the cuvee that I think it is, then it’s aged on lees which gives it an interesting twist over the typical assyrtiko. I actually received that one by accident in an order (was a different assyrtiko from the one I had intended to order) but ended up enjoying it very much.

I noticed there’s an Omikron retsina - a somewhat unfortunate naming in this climate…

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My favorite Assyrtiko is also a bit different. The Artemis Karamolegos Pyritis. I think (not sure) it sees some wood. Awesome stuff.

Also, hey, there’s an entire airline named Delta :joy:

Wow, Pylos completely fell out of my memory. I haven’t been in more years than I care to remember. It was a terrific spot. Please report.

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Looked quick and didn’t see any VinSanto. Ask if they have some for a dessert course

Santo is the Santorini wine cooperative. I find their view to be stupendous (their tasting room is the only one on Caldera), but their wines are average at best.

Agreed. Though I think 802. KAMMENI (Santo) would be a good red choice. I drank a lot of that on Santorini when I was looking for something solid and well-priced.

Favorite winery on Santorini was Gaia (great reds). Favorite tasting room was Vassaltis Vineyards (nice whites).

I think you would be well served by 802. KAMMENI

https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-714-mandilaria-amorghiano

Edit: sorry, I just realized this was for last night. What did you end up going with?

Will look for that.

The food was terrific and the restaurant was very busy for a Wednesday. I can report that we had both Santorini Assyrtikos and both were excellent recommendations. I will buy a few to try at home. As for the red, the ARETI VIVLIA HORA. kavala macedonia 2013 was bordering on gross. I think with Greek wines, the key may be to stick with the whites.

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