Klaus gave me the sweet wine, which he has as always carefully selected to match the dessert, – just as he had done on our last visit. This time: a Greek sweet wine from the 2014 vintage, called Pollios Oinos, produced by the Anatolikos Vineyards winery. This winery, which continues a program begun in 2000 to revive a famous ancient vineyard, was founded in 2005 in the Thracian town of Avdira.
The organically certified winery is run by the two brothers Marios and Sakis Nikolaidis.
It boasts what are arguably the northernmost greek vineyards near the coast. These hilly sites, situated approximately 50-70 meters above sea level, are characterized by sandy soil and benefit from the Mediterranean climate, the consistently cool northeasterly winds, and the temperature difference between day and night of about 13-15°C.
The sweet wine tasted is made from the red grape variety Mavroudi (50%) and the two white varieties Assyrtiko (40%) and Moschato (10%). The white varieties are thus clearly defined, but it is not so clear which variety Mavroudi is meant. In Greece, the name is used synonymously for the varieties Agiorgitiko, Mavrud, and Sefka, and there is also the variety Mavroudi Arachovis, which could also be a possibility. For vinification, the hand-picked grapes are dried in the sun for about 15 to 17 days after harvesting. Once the desired sugar content is reached, the grapes are spontaneously fermented in clay amphorae for 100 to 120 days using indigenous yeasts. The wine then matures for 36 to 48 months in small barrels and is bottled unfiltered and without any further treatment in 0.5-liter bottles.
Pollios Oinos 2014, Anatolikos Vineyards (Tasted Wines)
Opaque brown with copper highlights. The aroma offers dried fruit, orange zest, tobacco, and a touch of sandalwood. On the palate, it is fresh, delicately salty, with fine acidity and good sweetness. In addition to the aforementioned aromas, notes of raisins, dried figs, plums, walnuts, and a hint of citrus, along with subtle gingerbread spices, emerge. A very long, smooth finish. A very good wine.