Over the past decade Xinomavro has turn into certainly one of Greece’s main crimson grapes and is commonly thought of the best of native varieties.
Planted in northern and central Greece, the range will be present in 4 of Greece’s Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) together with Naoussa, Amynteo, Goumenissa, and Rapsani.
Within the winery Xinomavro is inconsistent and requires cautious administration, and within the vineyard shut consideration and time is required to tame its robust tannins and excessive acid. However when produced nicely, Xinomavro can resemble the construction of Nebbiolo with balanced agency tannins and brilliant acidity, and distinct aromas of contemporary and dried crimson fruits, flowers, tomatoes, tobacco, black olives and spice.
Scroll all the way down to see the highest 12 Xinomavro wines of DWWA 2022
Sometimes launched after at the least two years of ageing, Xinomavro’s notable acidity and tannins give the wines good cellaring potential, and in addition make the wine a really perfect accompaniment to meals. Unoaked variations akin to Pinot Noir pair nicely with meals like mushroom risotto, pork and lamb, and oak-influenced kinds with sport and even dry-aged steak.
Xinomavro grapes
Xinomavro is finest recognized for its manufacturing as a crimson wine, however may also be used to make good rosés, fragrant glowing wines and candy wines.
It’s produced as a varietal wine or will be blended with each indigenous and worldwide varieties — a better share Xinomavro usually including extra construction to the wine.
Celebrated on 1 November, Worldwide Xinomavro Day was established by Winemakers of North Greece to develop consciousness of and spotlight certainly one of Greece’s most prised indigenous varieties. Thought to be a ‘Greek Ambassador’ selection alongside Assyrtiko, Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko, get to know Xinomavro with a number of award-winning crimson and rosé wines from the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Xinomavro: 12 award-winning Greek wines to attempt
Rosé
Tsantali, 1/3000 Restricted Choice Xinomavro, Macedonia 2021
Silver, 90 factors
100% Xinomavro
Very pale pink color. Recent aromas of cherry tomato, strawberry and mineral nuances. Crisp palate, zesty and light-weight. Effectively made. Alc 12%
Alpha Property, Single Winery Hedgehog Rosé, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2021
Bronze, 89 factors
100% Xinomavro
Aromas of grapefruit, peaches and delicate flower notes. Beautiful texture, refreshing and pithy on the palate. Alc 13.5%
Ok Tsililis, Theopetra Property Early Harvest Xinomavro, Meteora, Thessaly 2021
Bronze, 89 factors
100% Xinomavro
Fragrant with candied melon and ripe apricot. Bone dry on the palate, mild spicy end. Alc 12%
Crimson
Mikro Ktima Titos, Goumenissa, Macedonia 2019
Gold, 96 factors
80% Xinomavro, 20% Negoska
Very perfumed nostril displaying cherry-scented notes and nuances of liquorice, oriental spices and contemporary strawberries. The tannins are sappy however well-managed, juicy and brilliant. Alc 13%
Alpha Property, Single Winery Hedgehog Xinomavro, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2019
Gold, 95 factors
100% Xinomavro
Beautiful aromatics of pot pourri, wild strawberry and crimson cherry. Vibrant and brilliant with well-managed tannins, loads of juicy and crunchy fruit and refreshing acidity. Alc 14%
Kir-Yianni, Ramnista Xinomavro, Naoussa, Macedonia 2017
Silver, 91 factors
100% Xinomavro
Refined aromas of dried mint, tomato leaf and liquorice. Sappy tannins and a touch of dried lavender on the end. Alc 14.5%
Oenops, Xinomavro, Varietal Wine 2020
Silver, 91 factors
100% Xinomavro
Gently fragrant nostril of crimson plums and chestnut, with hints of liquorice. Beautiful freshness and construction, approachable model of Xinomavro. Alc 13%
Oenops, Xinomvraw, Varietal Wine 2020
Silver, 91 factors
100% Xinomavro
Youthful, brilliant, meaty wine with a lot of savoury spice and hedgerow fruit character. Grippy on the palate, agency tannic construction. Alc 13.5%
Alpha Property, Ecosystem Reserve Vieilles Vignes Barba Yannis Xinomavro, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2018
Silver, 90 factors
100% Xinomavro
Vibrant aromas of parma violets and black cherries and a touch of crimson liquorice. Comfortable and supple, multilayered palate. Alc 14%
Kir-Yianni, Xinomavro, Naoussa, Macedonia 2018
Silver, 90 factors
100% Xinomavro
Elegant aromas of crimson liquorice, cherry and plum fruit. Juicy and fruit-driven on the palate with crunchy tannins. Lengthy end. Alc 13.5%
Oenops Wines, Apla, Varietal Wine 2020
Silver, 90 factors
50% Xinomavro, 30% Limniona, 20% Mavroudi
Floral and fairly on the nostril, displaying brilliant crimson fruit like strawberries and crimson currants. Juicy and fruit-driven, smooth tannins. Alc 13%
Tsantali, Rapsani Grande Reserve, Rapsani, Thessaly 2014
Silver, 90 factors
34% Xinomavro, 33% Krassato, 33% Stavroto
Spicy and lifted on the nostril with a stunning fragrance. Shiny and contemporary on the palate, lavender and pressed flowers. Alc 13.3%
Kir-Yianni, Diaporos Xinomavro, Imathia, Macedonia 2017
Bronze, 89 factors
87% Xinomavro, 13% Syrah
Fairly spicy on the nostril, peppery with hedgerow fruit notes. Meaty and savoury palate, toasty end. Alc 14.5%
