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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

Orgion 2013, Sclavos 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

Arallé 2017, Karimalis Winery

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

Naoussa 2012, Foundi Estate

Aa 2017, Domaine Sigalas

Grand Cru Rosacker Riesling 2019, Julien Schaal

Grain Sauvage Blanc de Blancs 2020, Cave des Producteurs de Jurançon

Milia 2015, Tetramythos Winery

Erohos 2017, Argyriou 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..