Domaine Zafeirakis Microcosmos Malagousia 2022
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Wine &
Spirits -
James
Suckling
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The Microcosmos Malagousia comes from old vines at the Domaine on flinty soil. It has beautiful aromas of stone fruit and citrus blossoms. The palate continues with fresh peach and apricot notes followed by zippy bright acidity. It is harmoniously balanced with ripe fruit and minerally character.
Perfect as an aperitif with light appetizers, pasta primavera or simply grilled fish with a squeeze of lemon and olive oil.
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Wine & Spirits
In a line-up of pleasantly fleshy and soft malagousiá wines, this is the outlier: casting aside the flowers and apricots typical of this semi-aromatic grape, this wine is all about its savory underpinnings, salinity and dried herbs. Zafeirákis uses whole-bunch pressing to help maintain acidity in the juice and to extract less potassium from the skins. The 2022 vintage was unusually cool for torrid Tyrnavos, producing a Micrócosmos that’s stony and structured, with plenty of acid and citrus pith flavor. Its vibrations expand with every hour open, inviting one to ponder, instead, the macrocosmos.
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James Suckling
This has notes of green apples, waxed lemons and green tea. Sea shells, too. Fresh and saline, with a medium body and a waxy texture.
The methodology of the bio-culture in our vineyards together with the non-use of specific fermentation processes and enzymes in the production contribute to this effort. Equally important role to the quality of their wine plays the low productivity per stremma (550-600Kg).
The Zafeirakis family is involved with the viticulture in the area of Tyrnavos for more than 100 years.
Christos Zafeirakis, the forth in the line who continues the family tradition, takes the family business to the next level by bottling the first wine from his private vineyards in 2005.
After he completed his studies in Oenology (Athens, 1996-2000) he decided that his desire was to enrich his knowledge and expand his experience. Thus, he continued his academic carrier at the University of Milan (Italy, 2003- 2004) where he undertook a master’s degree in Oenology (MSc).
Soon after he returned to Greece he followed his father’s footsteps with main goal the production of high quality wines from grapes of organic farming.
Meanwhile, his passion for the art of high quality wines drove him to many famous wineries at Piemonte, Alto Adige and Tuscany (in 2002, 2003 and 2004 equivalent) where he had the chance to gain valuable lessons and enhance his working experience.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the last ten years new kinds of grape were adopted such as Syrah, Merlot, Sangiovese, Chardonnay, Malagouzia etc. Moreover, it is crucial the attempt to revive local varieties one of which is "Limniona", which was first produced at November of 2008.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
A picturesque Mediterranean nation with a rich wine culture dating back to ancient times, Greece has so much more to offer than just retsina. Between the mainland and the country’s many islands, a wealth of Greek wine styles exists, made mostly from Greece’s plentiful indigenous varieties. After centuries of adversity after Ottoman rule, the modern Greek wine industry took off in the late 20th century with an influx of newly trained winemakers and investments in winemaking technology.
The climate—generally hot Mediterranean—can vary a bit with latitude and elevation, and is mostly moderated by cool maritime breezes. Drought can be an issue for Greek wine during the long, dry summers, sometimes necessitating irrigation.
Over 300 indigenous grapes have been identified throughout Greece, and though not all of them are suitable for wine production, future decades will likely see a significant revival and refinement of many of these native Greek wine varieties. Assyrtiko, the crisp, saline Greek wine variety of the island of Santorini, is one of the most important and popular white wine varieties, alongside Roditis, Robola, Moschofilero, and Malagousia. Muscat is also widely grown for both sweet and dry wines. Prominent red wine varieties include full-bodied and fruity Agiorghitiko, native to Nemea; Macedonia’s savory, tannic Xinomavro; and Mavrodaphne, used commonly to produce a Port-like fortified wine in the Peloponnese.