As we cruise past Thanksgiving and begin to adjust gears for the upcoming Christmas holiday, a lot of us are embarking on some of the biggest challenges to end the year. And that is - what do I get for gifts? It seems that every year we run out of ideas or just feel that we have covered most of the basis. But the one gift that ‘keeps on giving’ in our opinion is wine! And not just any wine, but wine from the wonderful regions of Greece. Yes, today’s wines of Greece, make a wonderful gift with meaning and value to just about any wine lover or someone that has visited or is about to visit Greece.
The other question we often have when it comes to gifts is, ‘How much do I spend?’ or ‘What is the right price to spend for good wine so I don’t seem cheap?’ I’m sure these are questions that we’ve all been consumed with when trying to make a decision.
Here is a breakdown of our suggestions along with price ranges and tips. Wines from these regions in our opinion have great selections for gifting with a touch of magic.
The island of Santorini: This is the premier region of Greece’s wine industry that has elevated the quality and reputation of the country’s wine culture. The wines range from $35 to $80 on average and deliver an unbelievable experience of flavors, textures, and characteristics.
The island of Crete: This is one of the largest wine growing regions in the Aegean, with a variety of different eco-systems that deliver products in multiple styles. The majority of producers practice full sustainability ranging from organic farming and low intervention productions. The wines range from $25 to $50 from Crete and are high quality productions.
The region of Peloponnese: This region has been producing wine for centuries mainly in high volume and in bulk. But in the last 30 years, there has been a shift in small production and high quality selections from grapes that were once used for retsina, such as Roditis and Savatiano. Now these grapes along with Agiorgtiko are producing some of the finest and well balanced selections. These wines range from $25 to $50 with some limited releases that can reach up to $75 and above.
The Northern Region of Greece: This large area has been known as Xinomavro land for decades. And the grape Xinomavro over the years has had many challenges that it overcame to become one of the most recognized red wines on a global scale for quality. A lot of wine critics refer to Xinomavro as the Nebbiolo of Greece. The wines range from $25 to $75, which some limited releases ranging from $100 and above.
Despite the different regions and price points, the sweet spot for a good price range is $25 to $50 a bottle. Anything above that is more of a personal preference. And for more of an offering of wines from these great regions of Greece, you can visit Greekazon.com and begin to create your list of gifts! Happy Holidays! Cheers