Welcome to our Greece campaign

The land of myth and magic boasts the world’s oldest wine industry while remaining strikingly modern, with a host of pioneering producers and exciting styles making Greece a true ‘one-to-watch’ region right now. From gorgeously mouthwatering whites – Greece’s high altitude and cool coastal breezes produces some seriously refreshing styles – to fragrant reds which really speak of their terroir, a land of rugged coastlines and herb-strewn landscapes. 

We are also delighted to share an interview with Steve Daniel, Head of Buying at Hallgarten & Novum Wines, about many of the wines featured in the campaign. A true pioneer of Greek wine in the UK, the current rejuvenation here owes a great deal to him, and it was a brilliant opportunity to explore its rich history, culture and diversity together.

Dive in to this selection of eminently drinkable reds and whites that show the true craftmanship of Greece’s winemakers.

 

Greek Whites

Greece’s high altitude vineyards and cooling coastal breezes mean they create white wines with a freshness like nowhere else, with high acidity masterfully balanced by ripe stone fruits, citrus and a moreish saline quality. Delicious with summer seafood.

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2024 Malagousia, Ktima Gerovassiliou, Epanomi Dry | White | Still | 12.5%

Ktima Gerovassiliou is one of the wineries that helped to reestablish Malagousia and their wine remains one of the benchmark examples. This wine has wonderfully expressive and complex aromas of exotic fruits combine with notes of pepper, orange, jasmine, herbs and lemon. On the palate it is rich and harmonious with a spicy, mouthwatering finish.

Ready: 2025 - 2028
2024 Terre de Zeus Malagousia, Navitas Winery, Pieria Dry | White | Still | 13%

Fresh and charming style of Malgousia this offers aromas of white-fleshed stone fruits together with subtle notes of citrus and herbs. The mouth is juicy with a balancing crispness and refreshing lemon blossom hints.

Ready: 2025 - 2028
2023 Terre de Zeus Assyrtiko, Navitas Winery, Pieria Dry | White | Still | 13%

An elegant and precise style of Assyrtiko there are notes of lemon blossom, verbena and citrus peel. Some wild herbal notes of wild thyme and mint complement the fresh grapefruit fruit with a little hint of peach and lemon oil. This is saline, fresh and vibrant. A wine that is difficult to resist.

Ready: 2025 - 2030
2023 Ammonite Assyrtiko, Gaia, Santorini Dry | White | Still | 14%

From a single plot of very old vines known as Thalassina, this parcel has given wines of real distinction and has been vinified separately. If there was such a thing, this could be considered a Grand Cru of Santorini. It is rich, powerful and austere yet deliciously smooth, with a backbone of refreshing acidity, enveloped by zesty citrus and ever-present smoky flintiness. This is a wine of great balance and finesse.

Ready: 2025 - 2035
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2023 White, Ekhô, Naxos Dry | White | Still | 13%

This is a truly distinctive white blend of various known and unknown, white varieties based on Potamisi, Aidani and unknown Karabraim. Ungrafted bush vines, more than 150 years old, yields are extremely low from these centenarian terraces. Herbal character on the first sip with sage and wild garrigue. Notes of lime, citrus and spicy characteristic as ginger with hints of minerality complement the citrus fruit. Steely mouthfeel with bright acidity and herbal flavours there is a linear and crystalline character with a long and chalky finish.

Ready: 2025 - 2030
2022 Assyrtiko, Artemis Karamolegos, Santorini Dry | White | Still | 14%

An Assyrtiko that is mostly vinified and aged in stainless steel although with a small part in concrete. There are aromas of chamomile, white grapefruit and ocean breeze. The palate is focused and linear yet with plenty of charm with a lemon oil and verbena note that is intriguing and delicious.

Ready: 2025 - 2032
2022 Cuvée Monsignori, Argyros, Santorini Dry | White | Still | 14.5%

An exceptional Assyrtiko that comes from the estate’s oldest, ungrafted vines. It is a wine with huge complexity showing notes of verbena, sea spray, peach blossom and grapefruit pith. On the palate there is a vibrant and linear drive of acidity which adds focus to the wine but so much depth and texture that comes through to support. This will only gain in complexity.

Young: 2025 - 2037
2023 Ippodromos Vidiano, Lyrarakis, Crete Dry | White | Still | 13.5%

100% Vidiano from the Ippodromos vineyard located at an altitude of 610m, on rocky clay soil. This could be considered Crete’s answer to top quality white Burgundy – this is rounded, creamy with intense orchard and stone fruit flavours and accents of lemon balm and verbena. There is focus and brightness that comes through on the finish and excellent balance.

Ready: 2025 - 2033
2023 Vidiano, Oenops Wines, Crete White | Still | 13%

Quintessential Vidiano with abundant citrus notes and white floral, herbal and mineral overtones. Creamy and layered with a lively freshness and flavours of stone fruit, lime and subtle spice. If you are not familiar with this variety, this is the wine to convert you!

Ready: 2025 - 2028
2023 Limniona, Oenops Wines, Dramas Red | Still | 12.5%

The Limniona grapes come from the mountainous areas of Karditsa, in the Thessaly region. The climate is strongly affected by the region’s inland position, exactly in the ‘heart’ of mainland Greece. The higher elevation results in a continental climate with greater seasonal and diurnal temperature variations. The wine offers enticing aromas of cherry, wild strawberries and blood orange, with a little pepper and savoury spice. There is a brightness and energy to the wine with a fine grained feel to the tannins balanced with charming, delicate red berry fruits.

Ready: 2025 - 2030

Steve Daniel - Stories from a Greek-wine pioneer

Here, Hallgarten and Novum’s Steve Daniels – a real Greek wine pioneer, who first introduced many of these incredible wines to the UK - explains why the grape varieties of this ancient wineland really represent a whole new world of exploration. Our recent tasting with Steve was a brilliant opportunity to explore everything that Greek wine has to offer, and we're delighted to share some of his wisdom with you here. 

 

Greek Reds

The herb-studded landscape and pioneering use of indigenous varieties make the red wines of Greece a truly delicious discovery, that really speak of their unique terroir. The perfect match for a whole variety of local foods, these balance body and freshness for ultimate versatility.

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2021 Avaton, Ktima Gerovassiliou, Epanomi Dry | Red | Still | 14.5%

A blend of Limnio, Mavrotragano and Mavroudi grapes where each was fermented in small oak casks of 50 hectolitres. There are flavours of ripe, dark berry fruits with accents of cocoa and a little savoury spice. There is a charm and elegance here with a silky feel to the tannins with a lift of violet and plum on the finish.

Ready: 2025 - 2031
2022 Terre de Zeus Xinomavro, Navitas Winery, Pieria Dry | Red | Still | 13.5%

A beautiful example of Xinomavro with aromas of black olive, wild cherry and sundried tomato. There is a sweet spice note of incense and white pepper that mingles with the fresh berry fruit. There is wonderful freshness and energy to the palate with a sinewy grip of tannins to frame the fruit. The finish is long with a lift of violet and cherry blossom.

Ready: 2025 - 2032
2023 Mouhtaro, Muses Estate, Thivaikos Dry | Red | Still | 13.5%

The very rare red grape of Mouhtaro is grown exclusively in the area of Askri, at the foot of Helicon mountain, in Central Greece. Muses Estate was the first winery to revive this variety. This is a thrilling wine with a deep purple colour showing an explosion of ripe red berry fruit with subtle accents of spice. There is a refreshing line of acidity and silky, fine-grained tannins that meld effortlessly with the fruit.

Ready: 2025 - 2033
2021 Xinomavro Reserve Vieilles Vignes Single Block Barba Yannis, Alpha Estate, Amyndeo Dry | Red | Still | 13.5%

A wonderfully complex Xinomavro that offers notes of liquorice, incense, sun blushed tomatoes and dark berry fruits. The palate is full-bodied and well structured with ripe, fine textured tannins that frame the dark cherry fruit. There are notes of wild thyme, tapenade and violets, which lift above the vibrant core of fruit with a wonderful persistence on the finish.

Ready: 2025 - 2038
2022 Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes, Apostolos Thymiopoulos, Macedonia Dry | Red | Still | 13%

Xinomavro is said to be similar to Nebbiolo in style, but this young vine iteration from Thymiopoulos has all the charm and drinkability of a Beaujolais. Bright cherry fruit, wild herbs and some notes of sun-blushed tomato there is a sense of fun and energy to the wine. Fresh and fruity, this will be perfect at any moment.

Ready: 2025 - 2030
2022 Aggelis Liatiko, Lyrarakis, Crete Dry | Red | Still | 13.5%

A single vineyard planted more than a century ago with own-rooted Liatiko vines. The low yields lead to small grapes of exceptionally high density, which are vinified, almost uncrushed, in small vats. Aromas of sour cherry, wild berries, liquorice, notes of wild thyme and sea spray mingle together. This is a beautifully balanced wine with vibrant acidity and a mouthfeel that is fruit-driven yet with a supple frame of tannin.

Ready: 2025 - 2036
2023 Red, Ekhô, Lemnos Dry | Red | Still | 12.5%

This is 100% Limnio from one of the last remaining ungrafted vineyards of the island, more than 80 years old. The nose is expressive with a fruity and herbal profile. Pomegranate and currants together with mint, bay leaf and rhubarb. Light to medium mouthfeel with finesse, and supple sinewy tannins leading to a linear and vivid finish.

Ready: 2025 - 2033

Where to start if you're new to Greek wine...

The wines of Greece represent myriad exciting styles from both cutting-edge and traditional-style winemakers, all with the skill and knowledge to extract the most delicious and expressive character from native grape varieties. But if you're new to Greek wine, this variety can be a little daunting! Here Steve explains how you can use some of your favourite, recognisable grape varieties as a guide to choosing your new favourite Greek wine.

 

Greek Rosés

Thymiopoulos's Rosé de Xinomavro is a distinctive and delicious style of rosé that has been aged for a short period in large oak - if you are fan of Tempier Rosé or Rosé from Rioja, this is a wine to try.

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2023 Rosé de Xinomavro, Apostolos Thymiopoulos, Macedonia Dry | Rosé | Still | 12.5%

A distinctive and delicious Xinomavro rosé, this has been aged in large oak barrel which helps to add texture and structure to this rosé making it ideal for food, but there is scarcely an occasion where you wouldn’t want to drink this. It offers notes of cranberry, white grapefruit and blood orange with a subtle creamy texture. There is brightness and energy here by the glassful – don’t miss out.

Ready: 2025 - 2028

Perfect Greek wines for Chardonnay lovers

While the wines of Greece are proudly and uniquely their own, Steve Daniels here offers some great suggestions for wines to explore for lovers of Europe’s more traditional varieties – watch the video to learn more!