Domaine Foivos Asfothelos 2015
I am lucky enough to have friends living in Athens who always have a couch for me to sleep on. For so many reasons, we do not have access to Greek wine in Istanbul. Which means that if I want Greek wine, this Domaine Foivos Asfothelos, it’s off to Greece for me. At least Athens is only about an hour’s flight away!
The Rebirth of Mantzavino
Domaine Foivos has a much longer history than its 1999 foundation would lead you to expect. Before it became Domain Foivos it was Mantzavino, one of the oldest wineries in Greece. As Mantzavino, the winery produced some of the finest Greek wines that gained fame all over the world, preserving a long family tradition at Paliki, Kefalonia.
When the winery changed hands in 1999 it entered into a dynamic new winemaking era. The new proprietors began to cultivate and take advantage of local varieties on the island of Kefalonia like Robolla and Mavrodaphne. In addition to working with local grapes the new owners furnished the old winery with modern equipment, combining traditional winemaking methods with updated technology.
While the Asfothelos is made using modern methods, Domaine Foivos also does some experimental winemaking. They make small 
batches of amphora-aged wines as well as underwater aged wines.
Domaine Foivos Asfothelos
The Asfothelos is a semi-dry blend of Tsaousi, Vostilidi, and Muscatel. While the wine maintained a relatively medium alcohol (12.5% ABV) it is overall light-bodied. I’m not familiar with the Greek Tsaousi and Vostilidi grapes but I honed right in on the Muscat characteristics in this wine.
Lightly aromatic with orange blossom, citrus, and hints of honey. Delicate orange blossom honey, apricot, and citrus on the palate. Poorly made semi-dry wines can feel so cloying and saccharine but the Asfothelos is not one of those. The perfumed flavors are beautifully balanced with a burst of acid that keeps the wine light and fresh.