Greece Uncorked:
A Modern Renaissance

Idaia Winery craft crisp, dry, mouth-watering whites that are truly expressive of the terroir of Crete. This is 100% Vidiano - an indigenous variety, grown in the Dafnes subregion of Heraklion. Delicate aromatic characters of ripe peach, apricot and melon, lead to a refreshing acidity which balances the rich and charming palate. With an impressively aromatic finish, this is the quintessential introduction to the Vidiano grape.

Idaia Winery craft crisp, dry, mouth-watering whites are truly expressive of the terroir of Crete, specialising in producing wines from indigenous varieties like Thrapsathiri. This is a bright, uplifting wine, with delicate fruit and floral aromas followed by a rich mouthfeel, with hints of savoury liquorice and pine, and a refreshing saline, mineral finish.

This 100% Assyrtiko is precise and expressive with aromas reminiscent of lemon, tangerine, and exotic fruit zest, all underpinned by characteristic stony minerality. With lovely texture and a zingy freshness, the palate is beautifully balanced through to a lingering finish.

The Estate White from Ktima Biblia Chora is a full-flavoured and aromatic blend of Assyrtiko 40% and Sauvignon Blanc 60%, with fragrant notes of nettle and tropical fruits interlaced with citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. This is beautifully textured, mineral and flinty, with balanced acidity and wonderful length.

Ktima Biblia Chora is the innovative creation of Vassilis Tsaktsarlis and Vangelis Gerovassiliou, two of the most talented winemakers in Greece, crafting some of the best white wines in the region, with similarities to very good white Bordeaux. The Ovilos White is a blend of Assyrtiko 50% and Semillon 50%, with distinctive and characteristic aromas of apricot and honey from the Semillon. These blend perfectly with the citrus and lemon notes from the Assyrtiko, with nuances of vanilla and nutty hints adding complexity. Rich and concentrated, with a beautifully balanced palate and a long, mineral finish.

In northwestern Peloponnese, lies the organic vineyard of Ktima Dio Ipsi who craft wines of distinction that are quintessentially reflective of the terroir. Their Dialogos White is a blend of Assyrtiko 50% and Kydonitsa 50% - elegant and beautifully balanced, with intense and expressive aromas of lemon blossom, quince, citrus notes and a touch of lime. This is light and precise with lovely texture and bright freshness underpinned by delicious minerality through to a mouthwatering finish.

100% Malagousia from Ktima Gerovassiliou, this is a vibrant, aromatic wine. Opulent, with a harmonious balance, and a palate which offers a spicy, fresh and mouthwatering flavours and a finish which is enveloped in a delicious flinty, mineral character.

The wine that kickstarted the winemaking revolution on Santorini, this is Santorini at its purest and most precise. This 100% Assyrtiko is a bone dry wine, with an explosive mineral core surrounded by delicate notes of fresh lemon zest and floral hints. Refreshing with a crisp, mineral finish this is a wine with real ageing potential and wonderful intensity - one of Santorini's benchmark fine wines.

A highly complex, aromatic and funky bouquet, with citrus notes, floral hints from the acacia wood, vanilla, toasty oak and a touch of smoke. The hand-picked Assyrtiko grapes were destemmed, crushed and cold soaked for 12 hours with skin contact, with the free run juice fermented naturally, using only natural yeasts - the layers of wild ferment envelop this precise and dry wine. There's an oak wreathed minerality and salty complexity to the tangy finish - this is a truly unique wine.

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.

Gaia Estate is one of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution, aiming to explore the potential of the indigenous Greek grape varieties. This 100% Moschofilero is complex and lifted, with characteristic aromas of rose, jasmine and sweet lemon, underpinned by delicious buttery notes. Nerve and tension perfectly balance the aromatic and richly flavoured palate.

The Estate White from Ktima Gerovassiliou is a blend of Assyrtiko 50% and Malagousia 50%. The grapes undergo some skin contact maceration during winemaking, to extract aromas of exotic fruits, hints of pepper, orange, jasmine, herbs and a touch of lemon. This is lively, attractive and vivacious, with a rich and beautifully balanced palate.

Oenops was founded in 2015, and they source rare and indigenous grape varieties, grown on exceptional terroir. A case in point is this 100% Kydonitsa - with complex aromas of white floral notes, stone fruit and lime. Layered mineral notes take you through to a smooth palate with restrained acidity, offering balance and freshness.

Probably the most complex winemaking that our Buying Director, Steve Daniel, has ever encountered, with sixteen separate spontaneous fermentations in concrete tanks, amphorae, stainless steel and oak barrels. The wine reflects winemaker Nikos Karatzas’ obsessive attention to detail - he is one of the most technically gifted winemakers in Greece. He makes wine as naturally as possible, with no filtration or fining, and minimal sulphur addition at bottling. It is very natural in the approach, but the wine is crystal clear and precise. The wine has the flavour profiles of a very fine barrel-fermented Mâcon Villages, but with the added mountain herbs, drive and salty freshness that only Greece can deliver.

Made from Aghiorgitiko grapes grown at around 500 metres above sea level, in the Koutsi sub region of Nemea. The 4 -6h in the name refers to the time the wine spends on its skins to extract this delicate pink hue. The wine is super fresh and dry, but has an alluring aroma of fresh strawberries. It is more deeply flavoured and complex than a Provence rosé, and has a longer more mineral finish. Makes a wonderful apéritif, but would also be great with Mediterranean or Asian cuisine.

A complex and refreshing rosé from three Greek varieties (Limniona 20%, Mavroudi 30%, Xinomavro 50%) showing elegant notes of tangerine, strawberry, raspberry and a subtle hint of tomato, one of the unique aromas of Xinomavro. Crisp and fruity with a long, refreshing finish.

A wonderful example of Xinomavro with its complex bouquet of small berried red fruits, leather, pepper, clove and vanilla spice showing great typicity. Structured and beautifully balanced with rounded tannins and well-integrated oak, with a touch of quince on the finish.