Late October Parched yellow postsummer colours were fading into autumn shades of still life The light so lucent in the Aegean was softer in everchanging shades of platinumgreyblue For a raft of inexplicable reasons of all the 14 vineyard islands featured in the forthcoming book Limnos strikes an inner cord To say the least it is different Not a tourist destination as such The energy so far unfailingly connects There is a flow a dialogue with this volcanic island reaching all beyond the vineyards and the hardworking unpretentious farmers I have met over the years doing the rounds
Ioannis Savvoglou and his partner Pantelis Tsivolas are a breath of fresh air Greek wine could do with more of their straighttalking calm professionalism The current financial crisis gripping the country is a great opportunity for reform Wine prices have been tumbling and will eventually stabilise after the clearout to reflect their true market value For consumers 2011 will be full of opportunities to broaden their horizons without spending over the top as the artificial bubble of living beyond ones means has left the countrys economy in hardly unexpected long overdue tatters To their credit Limnos Organic Wines were never greedy with their pricing Ever since their inception they have steadily offered value for money
Recently three Muscat of Alexandria sweet wines have left a lasting impression One is Spanish and the other is from Cyprus The third is the reviewed wine All three wonderful in their own right Highlighting the variety of the Mediterranean profiles of this fragrant grape
Veteran oenologist Ioannis Savvoglou has for over 20 years made dry to varying levels of sweet Muscat of Alexandria He knows his way round the islands scattered vineyards its best farmers and sites He was a pioneer in grasping the notion that the island has near perfect climatic conditions for organic farming The 2008 vintage produced 4700 500ml bottles I urge you to get some while stocks last
One of the islands best terroirs Bordering a dam Sandyclay soil Single vineyard planted to 35 year old vines Grapes were left to dessicate on the vines Very fine nose camomile bee pollen and honeycomb Minerality Not cloying apricot mid palate Brims with pit stone fruit on the persistent finish Precice structure Serve slightly chilled
Wine: La Terra Moschatos Limnou Limnos Organic Wines
Year: 2008
Link: http://www.limnosorganicwines.gr/
Score: 18
Type: Sweet
Variety: Muscat
Area: Aegean Islands