26 December 2018

My top stories in 2018

This is my number 2 synopsis post following my Top Greek Wines on Instagram posted last week. It includes my most read stories during last year. Links follow below starting with the most read story.

1. Greek wine: rising and falling trends for 2018

Rising and falling trends for 2018 cornering styles and varieties and discussing things such as the dominance or not of Santorini and what could be the next big thing (if there is one to be expected). Additionally if the the wine styles are changing, and which are the varieties one should be looking out for...

2. Decanter Awards 2018 for Greek and Cypriot wine: Better than ever

An impressive line up of medals for 2018: In total, the collection of medals includes 1 Best in Show (!), 2 Platinums and 9 Golds (versus 4 Platinums and 13 Golds in 2017). Cypriot wines maintain their strong presence with 1 Gold and 9 Silvers.

3. My favourite places to eat in Athens updated August 2018

A personal list of some of my favourite places to eat in Athens. These places tick all the boxes for me in three fields: quality, innovation and attitude.

4. Falatados Part 2: #ThatCrazyFrenchMan in Domaine de Kalathas

Jeroma Binda and his natural ''Viv Vivant de Grece'' wines from Kalathas in Tinos.

5. Biblia Chora lands in ''Thirassia''

Biblia Chora estate (Tsaktsarlis - Gerovassiliou) based in Kavala, Macedonia joins forces with oenologist Ioanna Vamvakouris in an impressive strategic move to the island of Thirassia, which is part of the Santorini complex establishing a new winery named Mikra Thira.

6. Oenops new releases revealed: Vidiano, Xinomavro and Limniona

An intriguing new set of wines is now part of Oenops Wines by winemaker Nikos Karatzas. The series is named Oenops, there is also the Apla line - up and includes 4 wines, a Vidiano from Crete, two Xinomavros from Trilofos and a Limniona from Thessaly.

7. Moschofilero: Where from and where to

An insight on Moschofilero grape, its wines and its future.

8. Beyond the city of Athens: my favourite places to eat at, plus 3 wine destinations

Again a very personal list, which I will be continually updating as I visit more places both around Greece and Cyprus. It also includes three (ultimate) wine destinations, for wine aficionados who are seeking a truly memorable wine experience and are looking to enjoy some very rare gems at smart prices.

9. Interview, Harvest in Santorini 2018: Earlier than ever

In order to highlight what is happening on the island and what can be expected from the 2018 harvest, I posed a set of questions to winemaker Lefteris Anagnostou of Artemis Karamolegos winery, winemaker and producer Yiannis Paraskevopoulos of Gaia wines, producer Yiannis Valampous of Vassaltis Vineyards and Ioanna Vamvakouri of newcomer Ktima Mikra Thira.

10. Noble Rot on Santorini and Xinomavro

Mark Andrew MW and Noble Rot write on Santorini and Xinomavro. This is the second extensive article on Greek wine written by Mark, a firm supporter of Greek wine. Both articles about Greek wine are amazing and point out the diversity of Greek terroirs, and also talk about how Greek wines sidestep monotony by offering a style of wine, which is different to that of international wines; a style that involves emotion, heritage and authenticity. Both stories are definitely worth a read.

11. Ode to terroir: Tinos revealed

The strong case of Tinos, its producers and its wines.

12. Greek wine: Sidestepping monotony

The sidestepping monotony of Greek wine summarized by the notion of terroir, the new generation of producers and the emotions (and jazz music it can create).

Cheers and happy holidays

Yiannis

Photo by Devin Avery on Unsplash