Domaine Porto Carras Yliana
I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying several wines now from Domaine Porto Carras. Their P.G.I. Halkidiki Malagouzia is one of my favorite examples of that grape. So when I went looking for a sparkling Greek wine to try, I knew I would be in safe hands with the Domaine Porto Carras Yliana.
Domaine Porto Carras lays claim to being the largest single organic vineyard in Greece. It certainly has had a fairy tale history. In his book, The Wines of Greece, Konstantinos Lazarakis MW describes Porto Carras as being “One of the great stories of Greek wine…” In addition to championing organic agriculture, Porto Carras’s research into rare Greek grapes has reinvigorated interest and plantings of many nearly lost varieties. Lagorthi, Thrapsathiri, Liatiko, and Debina are still alive and kicking thanks to this winery. However, more than any of these, does the now well-known and loved Malagousia owe much of its return to stardom to Porto Carras.
Indeed, Malagousia is one of the trio of grapes in Porto Carras’s sparkling wine, Yliana.
Domaine Porto Carras Yliana NV Tasting Notes:
Porto Carras’s portfolio contains two sparkling wines, a white (the Yliana) and a rosé. The Yliana, made in the charmat (or tank) method, is a blend of Malagousia, Assyrtiko, and Limnio; the latter being a native black variety.
Made in the extra brut style, this light, low alcohol (12% ABV) wine is a beautiful gold color in the glass. It reveals aromas of soft orange, orange rind, yellow apples, citrus, and mineral. On the palate, soft, creamy bubbles burst with flavors of clean citrus and crisp yellow apples that linger pleasantly.
Verra nice! Finding more sparkling wine is on my to do trip for my next trip to Athens! Luckily I’m going back in March for Oenorama!