A Bouquet with a Silver Ribbon – Blends of Aromatic Varieties and Chardonnay

The weather forecast had promised a few last warming rays of sunshine, so we wanted to seize the opportunity to drink white wine once more. For it we lined up a few bottles that had accumulated and that at first glance do not have much in common. As the title shows, however, there is a common thread after all - namely the shared idea of combining grape varieties classically considered aromatic varieties with Chardonnay. We wanted to see how bouquet and elegance actually come together here. A thoroughly entertaining tasting that brought back memories of summer - and for the photos, a few matching splashes of colour could still be found in a garden preparing for its winter sleep ...

AstirX (PGI Peloponnese) combines Moschofilero (50%) with Chardonnay (50%) in its white Mati Fortuna 2021.

The acidity is rather aggressive, but aromatically the wine is certainly interesting: floral notes prevail on the nose, while on the palate fruity aromas emerge in the finish. Before that, tannin dominates alongside the acidity, which - at least in some mouths - somewhat holds the wine back despite only 12.5% alcohol. A very good 16 points.

The Asproyes 2021 from Ktima Papoutsi (PGI Atalanti) brings Malagousia and Chardonnay together.

Also 12.5% alcohol, but structurally much rounder than the preceding wine. Malagousia here is clearly oriented towards the herbal end of the spectrum. Just as clearly as we recently had Greek mountain tea in the glass at a tasting of single-varietal Malagousia wines, here one has to think of eucalyptus infusion. A very good 16 points.

The white Prinos 2021 from Diamantakis Winery (PGI Crete) brings everything one expects from a blend of Chardonnay with an aromatic variety - here Malvasia di Candia Aromatica.

A pleasant floral nose with exotic hints, lovely interplay. 13% alcohol that carries the wine. A very decent finish. An excellent 16.5 points for this ideal, uncomplicated food companion!

In the white Astakos 2021 from AstirX, the aromatic variety dominates at 60% - yellow Muscat.

A typical but restrained nose. Also quite light at 12.5%, but with very pleasantly integrated residual sweetness. Astonishingly quaffable and elegant at the same time. An excellent 16.5 points, because it went down so well across the board at the tasting.

The Πέτρινες Πλαγιές – Stone Hills 2021 from Palivou Estate (PGI Peloponnese) won the race in our little tasting.

In the glass it already stands out with its yellowish colour and noticeably more extract. The bâtonnage really seems to make the difference here. The wine also shines because the Malagousia share here does not show the Muscat notes attributed to it, but leans towards the fruity end of the spectrum. Unlike the estate wine from Ktima Gerovassiliou, however, not everything is staked on one aromatic card and structurally balanced by Assyrtiko. Instead, quite different fruit aromas come together - a colourful fruit salad of banana, orange, apricot and pineapple. Add to that a rather full mouthfeel despite only 12.5% alcohol. An excellent wine that deserves 17 points and cuts a very fine figure both as a food companion and on its own.