Greek Wines Uncorked: 2008 Skouras St George Nemea

We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. ~ T. S. Eliot

As I have newly begun to assert; I'm an explorer when it comes to wine and spirits, travel, tourism and just about anything associated with the wine-biz. But I am also a devout skeptic of new things, which seem like a flash in the pan, here today and gone tomorrow. Take for example the advent and demise of Groovy Grüner Velt-LEEN-er. Is that a contrary position? Perhaps, but I do embrace both sides of that coin thoroughly or at least I like to think so.

Regarding the pursuit of exploration and discovery; Eric Asimov writes in The New York Times, "I know: it’s all Greek. That’s what is so exciting. Greece offers a fascinating extension of the spectrum of world reds. These wines promise adventure. The payoff is not merely the pleasure of discovery, but the affirmation that even jaded palates can find something new."

To further strengthen my argument for exploration and Greek wines specifically, in Forbes, Katie Kelly Bell notes "Greek wine does appear to have it all—history, climate, and uniqueness. Greek wines are some of the world’s most elegant and interesting. Any wine lover should take a chance on stumbling over a word or two for the delicious rewards in Greek wine."

If you thought you knew what Greek wine was all about and you're possibly making a face because perhaps you're thinking of that pine-resin like wines you may have experienced in the past. Honestly, you could not be more wrong, because I'm pretty sure this wine and many other Greeks wines are ready to "surprise" and delight you at every turn on the road to discovery. Perhaps you'll find a new favorite like I did last evening.

2008 Skouras, St. George, Nemea: Fermented and macerated in stainless steel vats, aged in used French barriques for 12 months and 6 months in bottle. That means this wine is far more about the fruit and the barrel is just a faint memory. This wine had all the characteristics of many of my favorite light-bodied Pinot Noir styles; plush seductive baking spices danced on my tongue, strawberry and cranberry type flavors danced on the table, polished tannins and balanced acidity put a bow on the package. I gave this wine a score of 89 points and highly recommend you giving this very food-friendly wine a swirl sometime soon.

This wine is produced from 100% Agiorgitiko [St. George for short] and also popularly known as the "blood of Hercules". So do you want to drink a great Pinot Noir style of wine, without the Pinot Noir price-tag, then give this wine a swirl, it sells for a mere $14 most places, a nice everyday wine at this price point. Until next time folks, sip long and prosper cheers!