Domaine Papagiannakos Retsina 2023

Winemaking

Produced from the Savatiano grape grown in the region of Markopoulo, Attica. This traditional style of Greek wine is thought to have begun with the storage and transportation of wine in clay jars sealed with resin. The resin would cover and protect the wine, but also impart a resinous, pine, character to it. These days classic white wine vinification is firstly carried out, then a few days after fermentation begins, small quantities of resin from the Aleppo Pine are put into cotton bags and added to the 150 hectolitre cooled, steel, tanks. The exact quantity of resin is a closely guarded family secret and the bags are removed once the precise level of flavour has been extracted. Papagianakos source their pine resion from a forest close to the domaine called Kouvras, and have been working with the same resin collector for many years.

Tasting Note

Balanced and true to a classic style, but not overly tannic or medicinal. The nose shows sweet pine, rosemary and thyme aromas. More pine is present on the palate, balanced with fresh citrus flavours and some weight and texture from the old vine Savatiano. Clean and refreshing with depth and character.

Food Match

Drink with pan-fried fish or grilled lamb. Delicious with pork meatballs and braised fennel.

• Greece