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Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:03 pm
by Quizmaster
Another clue - One of the varieties used to produce the wine is indigenous to the country.
I'd actually not heard of any of the three varieties that make up this wine.
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:16 pm
by RogerPike
Rapsani
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:19 pm
by Quizmaster
It's a tough one today
The 'family' that produced this wine started making wines over 100 years ago, however, the vineyards and winery that this particular wine comes from were aquired less than 20 years ago.
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:21 pm
by Bill
Portugal?
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:22 pm
by Quizmaster
RogerPike wrote:Rapsani
Good call Roger, yes, but which Rapsani?
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:23 pm
by malliemcg
Greece (sorry - it is greecian - the proxy did not update the site until after my post
)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:23 pm
by RogerPike
Still Rapsani
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:23 pm
by Quizmaster
Bill wrote:Portugal?
No, see above....
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:23 pm
by JF
Hungarian?
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:24 pm
by Quizmaster
malliemcg wrote:Greece (sorry - it is greecian - the proxy did not update the site until after my post
)
Yes, as Roger said
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:24 pm
by RogerPike
Reserve
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:26 pm
by malliemcg
Rapsani Epilegmenos (Reserve)
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:31 pm
by Quizmaster
RogerPike wrote:Reserve
That'll do it, yes. Well done Roger, great effort considering the clues.
If you come across this, buy a bottle, it's very good.
The wine is RAPSANI EPILEGMENOS (RESERVE) comprising a third each of the following varieties:
Xinomavro (indigenous). The prevailing grape variety in Northern Greece. Its name means sour (xino) and black (mavro) because it gives wines with an austere structure and dark colour. The wine of Xinomavro has a particularly great ageing potential.
Krassato. As opposed to Xinomavro, cultivated only in Rapsani. It gives alcohol-rich wines of mild acidity and many fast-ripening tannins.
Stavroto. Only cultivated in the Rapsani area. The wine from Stavroto is of average alcohol content, with mild acidity and medium colour. It is quite tannic with fast-maturing tannins.
From their website:
The vineyards of Rapsani lie on the southern slopes of Mount Olympus , the Mountain of the Gods. Specific vineyard sites because of the soil, microclimate conditions and cultivation techniques, have the ability to create superior grapes. If the growing season is perfect, only the finest parcels are selected. These grapes, under the guidance of our expert winemakers, will give an outstanding wine.
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:36 pm
by RogerPike
Mt Olympus was a pretty big clue
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 3:38 pm
by griff
RogerPike wrote:Mt Olympus was a pretty big clue
Still a super effort. I was stumped!
cheers
Carl
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 4:13 pm
by PaulV
hmm
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 5:45 pm
by Mahmoud Ali
That Xinomavro is a fine cultivar. I recently opened a bottle of 1993 Boutari Naoussa Grande Reserve and it was very good, still young with a raft of fine but firm tannins and deep, thick cherry and tar fruit. It went very well with the roast lamb and will continue on for a number of years.
Wines made by Xinomavro have been described as Barolo-like in a number of publications and this particular wine was highly acclaimed in a magazine I read many years ago. When I tried a bottle I found it had a lot of acidity but this was the very feature that the reviewer thought would propel it to a Barolo-like future in 10 or more years.
Well, the reviewer was right. And I suspect that the Rapsani Reserve, like the Boutari Reserve, will also cellar very well. Tsantali's reputation has improved over the years.
Good work Roger, and a nice find Quizmaster,
Mahmoud.
