I am skirting the foothills of Mount Parnassus 2457 m Mist constant drizzle It is a pleasant change from the sunny spells to a cloudy autumn I am heading into a sea of olive groves My cook friends argue that the local olive oil from the Megaritiki variety is the most balanced in taste now on the market To an outsider such as myself the olive trees look immaculately cared for It is a year with crop Despite the abundance there is little joy to be found in the cafe I stop My eager to inform the passing stranger farmer friends inform me that the price for extra virgin oil has collapsed With that update and caffeine coursing my veins I head to Polydrosso Fokida Having visited four years ago it was time to see what progress this area relatively recent to vineyards had to offer
With his ageingpreppy good looks tall slim and blond Nikos Argyriou looks like a middleaged Californian folkrock musician During my flying visit we did not have time to discuss music His humour though always a good sign is wry This time he received me in the recently built tasting room in the grounds of stonebuilt apartments Here I had the opportunity to see what he has been up to in his vineyards and cellar Of his seven labels including an intriguing Pinot Noir in the works it was his white Erochos that stood apart The grape mix is delightfully different and this is reflected in the wine Estategrown 70 Asproudi the balance being Malagousia and Sauvignon Blanc in equal parts
Synthetic closure Pale straw yellow Beads of carbonic gas that dissipate A botanical nose Sage Lightly honeyed Grapey Some depth Clean bonedry persistent freshtasting finish Useful lighterbodied sipping wine Best 20102012
Wine: Erochos Argyriou Winery
Year: 2009
Link: http://www.argyriouwinery.eu/
Score: 16
Type: White
Variety: Asproudi
Area: Central Greece