See below for what happened.........

Wines from Greece

Come join us at Papa Joe's Market in Rochester as Jon Patrus, their head Sommelier, entertains us with his presentation of Greek Wines

       Fruit, Cheese and Papa Joe’s Bread will accompany the wines.  Glasses will be provided.               No smoking or strong fragrances, please. 

Coffee and Dessert will follow the tasting. 

Attendees recognize they will consume alcohol and assume responsibility of having done so.

Reservation deadline is Thursday, May 14, 2009.

Members  $20.00            Guests   $22.00

What Happened.........

This tasting was organized by Betty Lou and Ed Nelson and Yutta and Bill Arundell.  Greek wines are greatly enjoyed by tourists in the Eastern Mediterranean, but don’t get much attention here in North America.  This tasting introduced our members to a wide variety.

 The wines were:

2007 Boutari - Moschofilero

2005 Skouras Almyra - Chardonnay

2004 Costa Lazaridis Amethystos - Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot

2005 Skouras St George - Agiorgitiko

2005 Kouros Nemea - Agiorgitiko

NV Achaia Clauss Retsina - Roditis and Savatiano

Samos Sweet Muscat - Muscat

Achaia Clauss Mavrodaphne of Patrus – Mavrodaphne

Jon Patrus, the head Sommelier for Papa Joe’s very large and famous specialty market led the tasting and provided many anecdotes and much information on the wines of Greece.  There are hundreds of varieties and they have been making it since 2000 BC.

Agiorgitiko is perhaps the best known red, but reds account for only 15 to 20 percent of production. Tourists have prompted the introduction of Cabernet and Merlot.

It is a white wine country. Retsina, a white wine with the addition of pine resin accounts for 30 percent of their wines.  However, there are many other whites, such as the Moschofilero.

The sweet dessert wine, Samos Sweet Muscat is a tourist favorite, that Jon said for many was a starter for the day at breakfast.

The Achaia Clauss Mavrodaphne of Patrus is possibly the most famous in Greece.  It is a sweet, low acid, fortified red that is popular everywhere.

Jon did a great job in leading us through the wines. The tasting was accompanied by Papa Joe’s breads, fruits and cheeses and ended with coffee and special desserts – Athens Pecan Cake made by Yutta,  and Anise Flavored Koulourakia Cookies made by Betty Lou.

For our members who are trying to reach 100 varietals and join Steve De Long’s Wine Century Club, this was a great opportunity to add to the list. There are five unusual ones above.   http://www.winecentury.com/