16 July 2017
A pleasant basic red wine made with Refosco (of Italian origin) and (indigenous) Mavrodaphne grapes. This is the main red wine produced by Mercouri Estate, a very charming property located close to the port of Katakolo.
I discovered this family owned estate, established in 1864, last year while cruising. After stepping into the property, I received one of the warmest welcome I ever experienced. Christos, the 70 years old owner, is a very hospitable man, who, after showing me around the property, explaining the operations and tasting wine, invited me for lunch and drove me back to the ship carrying a couple of bottle of his wine.
I’m currently spending a few days of my Greek Holidays at the property, where fifteen different grape varieties have been planted, mostly indigenous, but also international ones.
A good example is the Viognier that completes its fermentation in new French casks. The result is a white wine rich in flavours and with a good length. Definitely a very pleasant Viognier, that shows how some serious Greek producers have unexploited (market) potential.
I’m highly fascinated by the wide variety of indigenous grapes that Greece displays and also by the fact that we own the ancient Greeks our well-developed wine culture.
Country: Greece
Region: Peloponnese
Grapes: Refosco, Mavrodaphne
Type: Red
Vintage: 2015
Producer: Domaine Mercouri
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 2/5