It's Greek to US!

Quality Wine and Spirits has always had the finest selection of Greek wines available in the state of Minnesota. As if to serve as evidence to this fact, Wine Spectator's Kim Marcus singled out the wines of Skouros and Domaine Sigalas as examples of the best of modern Greek winemaking. As distributors of both producers, we heartily agree that they are indeed the best!

10 Greek Surprises
New reviews of red and white wines from Greece, including exciting values from both native and noble varieties

Kim Marcus
Posted: May 7, 2010

Greece has a long history with wine, stretching back to the kraters and symposiums of antiquity. But the quality of the modern era was a mixed bag, due to many reasons, including the stunted nature of the economy following 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Turks and the ensuing decades of political instability.

Since the end of the 20th century, however, wine quality has been on the upswing, especially with the country’s whites. Credit agricultural modernizations spurred by Greece’s entry into the European Union in 1981. The wines below represent two high-quality regions, the island of Santorini and the northern Peloponnesian Peninsula.

Native grapes are the best bet here. For Santorini, the Assyrtiko and Athiri grapes produce well-structured and powerful whites, while in the Nemea district of the Peloponnesus, the Agiorgitiko grape (also known as Saint George) can make supple reds. Moscofilero is another white grape of note, delivering Riesling-like intensity from the Peloponnesian district of Mantinia.

DOMAINE SIGALAS Barrel Santorini 2008 Score: 90 | NA

Aromatic, with rich flavors of ripe white fruits accented by plenty of mineral and honey cream. The long, lush finish is infused with savory spice, fig and anise notes. Drink now through 2015.

-K.M.

SKOURAS Cabernet Sauvignon-Saint George Péloponnèse Megas Oenos 2006 Score: 90 | $27

An elegant, powerful red, with luscious flavors of red plum, black fig and dark cherry. Intense cocoa powder notes carry through to the minerally finish, with some cigar box. 80 percent Agiorgitiko and 20 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2014. 600 cases imported. -K.M.

DOMAINE SIGALAS Assyrtiko Santorini 2009 Score: 89 | NA

A crisp, well-structured white, with flavors of Fuji apple, kiwifruit, tropical fruit and anise flavors. Offers touches of honey on the ripe finish. Drink now through 2014. -K.M.

SKOURAS Moscofilero Péloponnèse 2009 Score: 89 | $15

This has the concentration, aromas and flavors of a fine dry Riesling, with peach, pear, apple and hints of cream. Crunchy and pure-tasting on the finish, with notes of smoke and savory spice. Drink now through 2014. 1,000 cases imported. -K.M.

DOMAINE SIGALAS Asirtiko-Athiri Santorini 2009 Score: 88 | NA

This firm white offers lots of glazed citrus, ripe apple and spice flavors, with precise notes of honey and vanilla midpalate and a long, lush finish. Drink now through 2013. -K.M.

SKOURAS Nemea Grande Cuvée 2006 Score: 87 | $27

There's lots of red plum and red berry flavors in this lively red, with hints of tobacco box. Ripe spicy notes fill the cherry pie finish. Drink now. 500 cases imported. -K.M.

SKOURAS Roditis-Moscofilero Péloponnèse 2009 Score: 86 | $10

This fresh white shows green apple and peach flavors that feature notes of spring onion and spice, with a clean finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases imported. -K.M.

SKOURAS Saint George Nemea 2007 Score: 86 | $14

Juicy, with crisp red fruit flavors that feature notes of bacon and spice. Chocolate mousse notes enrich the finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases imported. -K.M.

SKOURAS Chardonnay Péloponnèse Almyra 2008 Score: 84 | $15

Medium-bodied, with ripe apple and pear flavors and a crisp, spicy finish. Drink now. 1,000 cases imported. -K.M.