WBW#7: Ksee no' ma vro

It's WineBloggingWednesday and this week that means, "Obscure Red Varietals."

Xinomavro (pronounced Ksee no' ma vro) is a red wine grape from the northern Greek region of Macedonia.  It's name means, "acid-black."  And if that doesn't get your mouth watering, I don't know what will!?

Boutari is one of Greece's largest, if not the largest, wine-making group.  Boutari makes a fine white wine called, Santorini.  But since today is for obscure reds, I grabbed a bottle of Boutari's Naoussa, '02 ($13).  Like most Old world wines, Naoussa is named for the region rather than the grape.  Greeks call this an, "Appellation of Origin of High Quality."  And this brings us back to Xinomavro - the red grape used in red wines from Naoussa.

To conclude, let me state for the record, "A varietal name that begins with an 'X' and contains four syllables, should definitely qualify as an obscure red."

The Skinny
Boutari Naoussa, '02 ($13)

• From the Macedonia region of Greece
• Made from the Xinomavro grape
• Somewhere between ruby and purple with a wide, watery-pink rim
• Scents of black grapes, red cherries, and sweet spices
  (Μυρίζω δρύινος!)
• Fairly light-bodied with light-ish tannins.  A faint attack in the front of the mouth.  All the action seems to be happening in the back of my mouth and throat.  Simple flavors with a slightly high alcohol:acid ratio that lingers slightly

*** (3 stars out of 5)

Believe it or not, this wine was tasty by itself, but was obstinate when it came to food pairing.  I imagine it could handle grilled chicken or something of the like.  Think of it as a simple Beaujolais minus the brambly quality.

Comments

[Andrew Barrow]

Great minds think alike! I very, very nearly brought the same wine (wish I had now as it would have been interesting to compare thoughts) instead I stayed in Greece but went for a different wine.

A great many thanks for participating. I am just writing up the review which I hope to have posted by the weekend.

[thecaveman]

Μυρίζω δρύινος!, I couldn't agree more. I have seen that bottle before and always put it back on the shelf.. mostly because of MNOYTAPH, The dreaded two consonant thing. Beau, You win the most unpronouncable grape... good on ya.

And again,
Μυρίζω δρύινος!,
Bill

[Beau]

Hey Bill - check this wine out when you get a chance, I would be interested to hear your take on it (since you've got more tastebud knowledge on gamay). It really seemed like a Beaujolais to me. Although, I gather X can make a denser more serious wine (of course gamay can as well).

I've never been to Greece - just next door in Albania (long story).

Cheers. beau

[Beau]

Hey Andrew,
I'm embarassed to say that I haven't visited your site until recently. I really enjoyed my visit and will come back again. All in all, I've been a little disappointed with the Greek reds I've tried. Although I have yet to be really turned off by any Greek whites.

cheers!
beau