A day without wine is like a day without sunshine.
We had both wine and sunshine on Sunday - a perfect day as we finally made it out to the Panayiotidis vineyard for winetasting. YUM. Panayiotis Panayiotidis is a second-generation winemaker with a family vineyard about 1/2 hour from here in the hills above the sea. We had tried his wine at the expo back in December, and asked if he had tastings available. He said sure - give me a call. So I called, and told him we'd be there on Sunday (our family + whoever else we could gather up). After a wonderful walk in Souroti with our friends Marianne, Peter & AnnaMaria, we all took off for Nea Mixaniona. Panagioti met us outside his house and vineyards. Amazing view of the bay and countryside, great biodynamic vineyards, and a big black doggy to guard it all! He showed us everything - the fermenting chambers, the bottling room and the cava, and then sat us down to an delicious seafood lunch with several bottles of select vintage wine. The 2002 tasted just like a really great California Zinfandel - deep berry flavors with tobacco and figs on the base. SOOOOO luscious. And he thinks it's the worst of the lot - they don't have Zin here!! But the real surprise was the tsipouro - mahogany colored (usually it's clear) and an oaky kind of accent, like a cross between your favorite whiskey and cognac but a little more ethereal. (Cam, eat your heart out! You'll just have to come back for another visit!!) I haven't had such a good time winetasting since we left Northern California!! Needless to say we came away with a few cases, a light head, and the promise to visit again very soon...
the wine circle - a biodynamic technique to harness energy for the winethe barrels
the cava
the winemaker explains
the treasure under the stairs... (photo by Lia)
the legendary tsipouro!
the cava again (another photo by Lia)
AnnaMaria and Joji
Outside in the yard (photo by Lia)
