If you like aromatic wines like Moscatel (Muscat) or Gewurztraminer, try this aromatic wine but with a Greek twist.
Moschofilero
My experience with Greek white wine has been mostly Assyrtiko, which would still be the first Greek white I would reach for on most occasions. Last year, I explored some Retsina (actually a wine style not a variety) and Malagouzia for the blog. The most planted Greek whites are actually Savatiano and Roditis, which are most popular in Retsina wines. This time, I’m exploring Moschofilero, which is arguably the best indigenous Greek white variety after Assyrtiko.
Moschofilero stands out as a pink-skinned grape that’s really aromatic in contrast to the high acid minerality of Assyrtiko. Like other aromatic grape families Traminer and Muscat, it’s likely just one of many mutations within the family of “Filero” grapes. It’s primarily grown in the Peloponnese, where the Mantinia appellation specializes in the variety. It can be light and fresh or made bigger and more complex with lees stirring and oak aging.
Let’s give it a try.
Tasting Notes
2022 Tselepos Mantinia Moschofilero 100% Moschofilero. Stainless steel only. No wood. Pink, rosé like color. Very Gewurtz and Moscatel-like: Really aromatic with a fruity sweetness and lots of floral. Round but also fresh and structured. It’s grown at higher elevation in Mantinia, so it keeps its freshness. The acidity makes it more enjoyable for me than many Moscatel and Gewurtz I’ve had, which can be too sweet and lacking in acid. Therefore, it’s a wine I would be more likely to pick up again at the wine shop than the latter two. I believe this producer must be widely available if I’m able to find it in Chile. 90