Wine Information & Reviews | Vino Critic
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Xinomavro is a red wine varietal, originating from Greece and grown exclusively within Greece and North Macedonia. It is the main red wine grape of northern Greece, grown widely within the regions of Macedonia and Thessaly.
The name Xinomavro essentially describes the grape – it translates roughly to “sour/acid black”. Xinomavro wines are generally complex and high in tannins and acidity, and can sometimes be comparable to wines made from Nebbiolo, like Barolo or Barbaresco.
On the vine, the grapes are thin-skinned and inky purple. The grape can also be referred to by the names Black Naoussa or Popolka, or alternately spelt as Xynomavro.
Vinsanto is the basis for a variety of red wines – it can be made in pretty much any style, but the most common is a dry, full-bodied red wine that is high in acid and tannins. Xinomavro is a big, serious wine – arguably one of the biggest and boldest you can get in Europe. It can also be quite potent, ranging between 13-15% ABV.
The typical flavors associated with Xinomavro are red fruit, flowers and spice, along with earthy and meaty notes. Look for notes of strawberry, cherry, plum, prune, fig, sun-dried tomato, rose petals, olives, tobacco smoke and nuts.
The best and most archetypal version of Xinomavro that you can try is a big, bold dry iteration, perhaps from PDO Naoussa. It is also used in blends. Blending grapes such as Stavroto and Krassoto (or even Merlot and Syrah) add complexity to the wine, but do little to temper the dense, full-bodied nature of Xinomavro.
Xinomavro is also made into rosé wine quite frequently. These wines are typically made by minimizing skin contact during fermentation. They can also be made in sparkling style. These styles of Xinomavro are typically light and fresh and often have intensely fruity flavors, with notes of strawberry and cherry.
Xinomavro is permitted for use in 4 PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin), the highest tier of the Greek appellation system. In the Naossa and Amyndeon PDOs, wines must be made from 100% Xinomavro. In Goumenissa PDO, it is permitted for blending with Negoska, while in Raspani PDO, blending Xinomavro with portions of Krassato and Stavroto is allowed.
Xinomavro wines can also be found in numerous PGI-level appellations, from large, regional-size appellations such as Thessaloniki, Pella and Magnesia, to far smaller and more specific PGI’s such as Velventos, Epanomi and Meteora.
Xinomavro is a special occasion kind of wine. Its dense tannic structure and high acidity are probably too intense for daily consumption, but it is a fantastic partner for dense red meats and bold meals.
You can think about pairing Xinomavro with gamey meats, like venison steak or veal stew, or kofta with any amount of spice. Lighter rosé style or sparkling Xinomavro wines can be paired with lighter, vegetarian dishes, such as falafels, pasta or seafood. For the best expression of a bold and dry Xinomavro, we recommend putting the bottle in the refrigerator before serving, so that it can reach a temperature slightly below room temperature, around 54-59 ºF (12-15ºC).
Xinomavro is one of the more age-worthy red wines you can find on the market. When they are well made, Xinomavro wines can age for several decades and develop complex flavors of tomato stem, sun-dried tomato and black olive over time. On average, well-made Xinomavro wines can age for 10 to 20 years, with some of the best examples aging for even longer. The exact length of aging potential will depend on factors such as the winemaking technique, storage conditions, and vintage quality.
Xinomavro is one of the more affordable serious wines that you can buy, particularly when compared to the likes of Barolo or Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. You can get an excellent 90+ rated example for about $15-25, from one of Xinomavro’s premium locations such as Naoussa or Amyndeon.
It is also possible to spend a lot on Xinomavro – there are some examples (also from Naoussa), pushing the $50 mark.
A glass of single-varietal Xinomavro will contain approximately:
It was theorized that Xinomavro was related to Nebbiolo, but DNA testing has proven otherwise.
Xinomavro can be a challenging grape to grow and needs the perfect “Goldilocks” combination of suitable weather and low yields to achieve peak deliciousness.
Xinomavro is one of Greece’s 4 “ambassador” grapes, alongside Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko and Moschofilero.
Xinomavro is a red grape varietal, hailing from Greece. It’s one of the country’s better-known grapes and is also one of the most planted – Agiorgitiko pips it to the top spot in terms of hectares cultivated. The name essentially … Read More