The Highlights of 2021
Although 2021 did finish the best way, 2022 did not accept me with open arms. So after a few days, I got covid, and it took me almost a month to be at full strength again. My life was not in danger, but pneumonia made things complicated and kept me offline all this time. Nevertheless, I am much better now, trying to catch up.
2021 was a benchmark year in my life since plenty of significant changes happened. So let me make a summary with the most meaningful.
374 wines were tasted, and 121 of them were rated.
A considerable upgrade took place on this website.
I participated in a demanding project that kept me busy and sharp. It will make a difference when it lands.
3 days wine trip to Santorini. This unique place in the world produces some of the greatest white wines globally.
4 days on the island of my heart Mykonos. I helped with the wine list and trained the new staff with Nicolas Pelegrinis, Bistrot de Nicolas restaurant owner and close friend.
An enlightening flash trip to Creta to visit Domaine Economou. Giannis Economou is a genius focused on crafting outstanding terroir-driven wines. It needs an artistic sense and out-of-the-box thinking to make wines like Economou. The Greek wine scene is fortunate to have Giannis Economou and his artisan wine.
I moved to Munich and opened a new chapter in my career and life. I became part of Atlas Großhandel GmbH, Germany's biggest Greek wine import company, with a clear vision for the future.
3 days road trip explored the terroir of Valpolicella, tasted some outstanding wines and met some inspiring producers.
Now let's focus on wine.
The wines with the higher rating (7 are from Greece):
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Ridge Vineyards 100 pts
Montrachet Grand Cru 2001, Chartron et Trébuchet 96 pts
Sweet Wishes 2014, Pieria Eratini Winery 95 pts
Vieilles Vignes 2016, Domaine Dalamara 95 pts
Goumenissa 2011, Tatsis 95 pts
Santorini Barrel 2015, Domaine Sigalas 95 pts
Viognier 2010, Domaine Gerovassiliou 95 pts
Syrah 2008, Christos Kokkalis 95 pts
Don Maximiano Founder's Reserve 2015, Errázuriz 95 pts
Alion 2017, Tempos Vega Sicilia 95 pts
Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling 2019, Julien Schaal 95 pts
Limited Edition 10 Vendemmie N.V., Tenuta Ulisse 95 pts
Tignanello 2018, Antinori 95 pts
Top 10 worth discovering regardless of the score:
Savatiano 2014, Domaine Papagiannakos
Chardonnay Nature 2017, Tetramythos Winery
Meta Assyrtiko 2018, Pieria Eratini Winery
Silex 2017, Domaine Didier Dagueneau
Bandol Rosé 2019, Domaine Tempier
Riesling St. Remigiusberg 2018, Weingut Tesch
Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2017, Sandhi
The Contours 2014, Pewsey Vale
Xinomavro 2016, Diamantis Winery
Top 10 value for money:
34 2018, Artemis Karamolegos Winery
Riesling St. Remigiusberg 2018, Weingut Tesch
Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling 2019, Julien Schaal
Grain Sauvage Blanc de Blancs 2020, Cave des Producteurs de Jurançon
Milia 2015, Tetramythos Winery
Savatiano 2014, Domaine Papagiannakos
Limited Edition 10 Vendemmie N.V., Tenuta Ulisse
Top 10 wines and food matches that are made from heaven:
Meta Assyrtiko 2018, Pieria Eratini Winery - pasta with tomato sauce, octopus and sujuk.
Verdea Nature 2019, Oenos Nature - traditional Greek "horiatiki" pasta with egg on top, fresh ground pepper, and fresh truffle.
Silex 2017, Domaine Didier Dagueneau - sauté medium-rare rib-eye with celery root puree.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Ridge Vineyards - beef liver lying on top of a four-spice sauce.
Sot Lis Rivis 2019, Ronco del Gelso - grilled shrimps and small fishes.
Alfega Erythros 2017, Domaine Hatzimichalis - vegan bolognese pasta.
Riesling St. Remigiusberg 2018, Weingut Tesch - pasta with colourful peppers, tomato sauce, onions and hot spices.
Auksinis Maceration 2016, Sébastien Riffault - pasta with a pretty hot sauce based on green bell peppers, tomato, soutzouki, pink pepper and plenty of hot spices.
Tradition Lagrein 2019, Kellerei Cantina Terlan - fried cod and wild greens.
Orion 2018, Masseria Li Veli - lentils soup.
Top 10 Natural Wines:
Goumenissa 2011, Tatsis 95 pts
Silex 2017, Domaine Didier Dagueneau 94 pts
Meta Assyrtiko 2018, Pieria Eratini Winery 94 pts
Versante Nord 2016, Eduardo Torres Acosta 92 pts
Chardonnay Nature 2017, Tetramythos Winery 92 pts
Cigalus 2016, Gérard Bertrand 92 pts
Verdea Nature 2019, Oenos Nature 91 pts
Cuvée Marguerite 2016, Domaine Matassa 90 pts
Auksinis Maceration 2016, Sébastien Riffault 90 pts
Auksinis 2015, Sébastien Riffault 90 pts
So a lot of work is waiting for me to be done, and the truth is I can not wait to accomplish my goals. So, moving forward at full speed is the only way!
I wish you all the merits and joy! Happy 2022!
Old vines are all over Greece
Bistrot de Nicola
Santorini's soil
Greece is stunning!
Monte dall'Ora
Favourite place..