Chatzivariti Eurynome Red and White Wines - Loaded With Nostalgic Flavors • Reverse Wine Snob®

Today in our Saturday Splurge series we visit one of the oldest winemaking countries in the world for a pair of tasty and very flavorful wines that bring back good memories.

First up is the 2010 Eurynome Red, a blend of 70% Xinomavro and 30%Negoska from Goumenissa, Greece and made from organic grapes. This wine has an SRP of $27 (Saturday Splurge). 1,150 cases produced, imported by Eklektikon. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“According to the oldest Greek myth, life began with the goddess Eurynome. Having nowhere to rest, she split sky from sea, then danced gracefully on the waves, birthing the elemental entirety of the earth; uniting wisdom and divinity. Her namesake wine is he result of equally comprehensive winemaking.
The vivid acidity of highly esteemed Greek Xinomavro (acid-black) grape is softened by the pleasantly aromatic Negoska. Matured in oak barrels for 12 months, and then 6 months longer in the bottle, the result of this aging is an aromatically complex wine, predominantly scented by bramble fruits, finely nuanced with notes of spice, tomato, olive, and vanilla. Full bodied on the palate, aromatic, richly tannined, and with an enduring finish.
13.5% Alcohol”

The 2010 Eurynome Red begins with major aromas of cherry, black cherry and vanilla. Tasting this medium-bodied, smooth and velvety wine reveals lots more rich black cherry, vanilla and cola flavors. It’s also quite tannic. Being somewhat of a soda aficionado in my younger days, the flavors in this wine (but definitely not all the sweetness) immediately reminded me of the short-lived Black Cherry Vanilla Coke, or nowadays like the Cherry Vanilla Coke you can create in those Coca-Cola Freestyle fountains. (This is not a bad thing, in my opinion.) It finishes quite long and dry.

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.

Saturday Splurge

Next up is the 2011 Eurynome White which is 100% Roditis from Paiko, Greece and also made from organic grapes. This wine has an SRP of $20 (Saturday Splurge). 945 cases produced, imported by Eklektikon. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

“The light and fruity Roditis (literally “rose”) is one of the oldest and most renowned Greek grapes, features the aroma of basil and ginger, with fruity cues of apple and banana sweetness. Light and delicate in the mouth, with a lingering finish.
13.0% Alcohol”

I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas, I like to…if you have young kids then I’m sure you know theapples and bananas vowel song. That’s what came to mind at first sniff of the 2011 Eurynome White as this wine has the unmistakable aroma of both apples and bananas, along with a hint of ginger (that you won’t find in the song). It’s really quite a nice and enticing aroma. The wine tastes delicate and delicious. It has similar flavors to the nose with a light sweetness and a good dose of refreshing lemon/lime along with a wonderful silky smooth mouthfeel. The long finish features some spicy mineral notes that wraps things up nicely. A joy to drink!

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.