Papagiannakos Retsina

Retsina bottle image

Wine Description

Founded in 1919, Domaine Papagiannakos is located in the Attica region of Central Greece, just 18 miles from Athens. Today, the winery is run by the 3rd generation, Vassilis Papagiannakos, who has issued a new era of modern winemaking while still maintaining the family’s dedication to cultivating and preserving the region’s most famous indigenous grape, Savatiano.

Domaine Papagiannakos Winery
Savatiano Old Vines
Malagousia Vineyard
Yiannis Papagiannakos Harvest 1955
Papagiannakos Women Harvest 1950
Domaine Papagiannakos Winery
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Acclaim
“You barely need to inhale anywhere near a glass of this almost-translucent pour to identify it as Retsina, Greece’s storied, pine-scented white wine. Made from Savatiano and Roditis white wine grapes since the Roman era, Retsina has undergone something of a rebirth in recent years, as historic producers like Papagiannakos aim to reclaim its once-high reputation with quality bottlings like this one. This impressive iteration speaks to that renaissance and has herbaceous flavors followed by a long, lemon-forward finish.” – (Best Buy) — Wine Enthusiast, Jun 2024
Vassilis Papagiannakos, the master of savatiano, makes Retsina with a light touch; He builds on the grape’s fresh-almond breadth and herbal savor, adding just enough pine resin to evoke the scent of fallen pine needles underfoot on a hike through the woods. The wine feels cool and spicy, with bitter-edged notes of ginger, lovage and celery seed that pique the appetite.”– (Best Buy)
— Wine & Spirits, Oct 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Limestone, Clay and Gravel
Elevation:
330 feet
Exposure:
Northern
Harvest time:
Early September
Bottles produced of this wine:
20,000
Average Vine Age:
50 years
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Savatiano
Fermentation container:
INOX stainless-steel tanks
Fermentation temperature:
60-65 °F
Fining agent:
Vegan
Total SO2
120
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.34
Acidity:
5.3 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Dry extract:
20.9 g/L
Total SO2
120
Residual sugar:
0.5 g/L
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Wine Production

The Savatiano grapes are fermented in INOX stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature (60°-65°F). A small amount of resin from native pine trees in the Attica region is added to the wine to achieve the traditional flavor profile of this ancient style of wine. 

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About the Vineyard

The Savatiano vineyards used for the Papagiannakos Retsina are located in southeastern Attica at an altitude of 330 feet. The landscape is cup-shaped with the vineyards facing north, which prevents the grapes from being overexposed to the heat of the sun. The vineyard is over 50-years-old, and is farmed without irrigation, resulting in low-yielding vines that produce grapes with rich, concentrated fruit flavors.