Seméli Moschofilero 2016
Each time I begin to explore a country’s wine; there has been one wine that sticks in my mind as the one that made me think: okay, this country makes good wine! For Turkey that was Prodom’s flagship blend and Vino Dessera’s 190. For Greece it was a Seméli Moschofilero. 
Six-seven years ago during my first trip to Greece I drank whatever wine got plunked down on the table. It was not awesome. But at least it was better than the “dog killer” wines I was able to access in my conservative outer Istanbul neighborhood. Since then I’ve been to Greece several times during which I’ve attended small and large tasting events, visited wineries, and just drank a whole bunch of wine.
A few years ago, my best friends in Athens tempted me and Istanbites to visit by sending pictures from their local wine 
store. After we arrived, they immediately whisked us off to the Saturday pork roast at the local taverna. Lunch gluttonously consumed we went to the wine shop and began to learn about Greek grape varieties. The Seméli bottle caught our eye, not because we knew (yet) how much we would like Moschofilero, but frankly because we liked the label.
And so began a love affair with Greek wine!
Seméli Moschofilero 2016 Tasting Notes
Named after the princess of Thebes who gave birth to Dionysos, Seméli Estate was established in 1979. Auspicious for also being my
birth year! Located between Corinth and Argos in the Peloponnese; Seméli produces its Moschofilero from grapes grown in vineyards at Zevgolatio in the Mantinia PDO, at an altitude of 650m.
Pale but brilliant lemon with green highlights in the glass, the wine revealed delicate aromatics of flowers, honeyed and ripe stone fruits, and citrus. Rich and fruity flavors, moderate alcohol (12% abv), and an elegant mouthfeel made this #dangerouslydrinkable. And an excellent quality for price wine.
Seméli Oreinos Helios 2018 Tasting Notes
Two years later, I’m back in Athens drinking another of Seméli’s wines. This time, the Oreinos Helios; a Moschofilero Sauvignon Blanc blend. Like the mono, the Moschofilero grapes come from Mantinia while the Sauvignon Blanc from the wider Peloponnese PGI.
Rich notes of roses, melon, and citrus mingle in the nose. Elegant floral, pomelo, and orange rind flavors delight the palate along with a vibrant acidity, medium body and alcohol (12.5% abv), and a slightly oily but dry finish.
Again, Seméli does not disappoint!