Stunning Greek wines: Porto Carras Malagousia 1994

Most people know and enjoy Malagousia, a white Greek upcoming variety for its aromatic and exotic character along its soft and round palate which gives it a Gewurztraminer like personality. During a superb three and a half hours long masterclass that I moderated in Thessaloniki I had the chance to dig into the variety's styles and typicity. I plan to get back and become more analytic in an upcoming post.

In the masterclass I asked Vangelis Gerovassiliou, who is credited a major part in the variety's success being oenologist in Porto Carras where the variety blossomed in the early 90's, of its potential to produce truly outstanding wines. ''With Malagousia we have a different character compared to Assyrtiko. There is less longevity and the wines need to be drunk during the first 2-3 years after the vintage. Quality can be very good yet not with tremendous complexity'' he said to a large audience of 70 people.