You may already know Viognier or not. You should deflinately know Giannikos Winery though. No, we will not test you later on. From what we have tasted so far, it will surely concern us often.
Back to Viognier now. French variety, one of the basic of Rhone Valley. It is difficult to cultivate, very easy to oxidize and requires great mastery from the producer, particularly if it stays in barrique. Nevertheless, absolutely lovable, it is cultivated in every corner of the world, mainly due to its aromatic potential, extending from peach to honeycomb and from pear to violet and occasionally mineral feel.
Its appearances in Greece are scarce and can be counted on the fingers of one hand. It seeks areas with consistently warm periods to mature, but not too hot, to prevent it from expressing the aromatic evolution before it is overconcentrated with sugars and alcohol.
Michael Giannikos’s sunny vineyards nest in the area of ancient Mycenae between the epic stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey. New Wind 2014 Giannikos Winery proves that Viognier likes it there.
Organic viticulture and international awards go together in a wine very tasty and aromatic, which is mostly exported abroad. The three months spent in French first and second usage barrels of 228 lt, emphasize the natural oiliness of the variety and add volume and complexity without obscuring the beautifully expressed fruit.
There was no best time to discover (even in its last bottles) the New Wind 2014 Giannikos Winery. Already we can see it featured in Christmas calls, next to stuffed turkey with apricots and chestnuts.
