Description

PRODUCER:
One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution, Gaia Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. Operating from two different wineries in the important wine-growing regions of Nemea and Santorini, they have earned a reputation for making cutting-edge wines. Gaia’s main aim is to explore the boundaries and present the potential of the indigenous Greek grape varieties to wine enthusiasts worldwide.

VINEYARD:
The Moschofilero grapes come from the mountainous vineyards of Arcadia region, where the 15-year-old vines are grown at an altitude of 700 metres and produce grapes with fruity characters and crisp acidity. The Roditis variety is grown at 900 metres altitude in upland Corinth, in a microclimate which imparts elegance to the resulting wine. The vines yield approximately 75 hectolitres per hectare and are grown in soils which are mainly limestone clay. The Assyrtiko grapes come from the slopes of Koutsi, which are planted at 600 metres above sea-level with a southwesterly orientation. The vines are 15 years old and are cultivated in marl on limestone soils.

WINEMAKING:
The carefully selected grapes were chilled to 4°C before being destemmed and pressed. Each variety was vinified separately with selected yeasts in stainless steel tanks at 16°C to preserve the varietal characters. Only the free-run must was retained from the Roditis grape variety. Fermentation lasted for approximately 20 days, and the wines did not go through malolactic conversion, resulting in a crisp style of wine. The Roditis, Moschofilero and Assyrtiko wines were expertly blended to create a wine with perfect balance.

TASTING NOTE:
Notios (The Southerner) is a fusion of traditional Greek varieties resulting in a light, fresh and elegant wine. The Moschofilero contributes vibrant, floral flavours, the Roditis imparts a smooth, citrusy, zesty character, and the Assyrtiko delivers wonderful complexity, crisp acidity and a mineral finish.

GRAPES:
Assyrtiko 34%, Moschofilero 33%, Roditis 33%.