GG_N54_IT-web

GREECE
DISCOVERY
A visit to Zoinos Wines offers unique insight into
the region. The story of Zoinos began in 1954, with
the creation of the first co-operative in the country
on the initiative of vine growers. Today, in their
new winery/distillery you can see how co-operative
responsibility is combined with modern expertise.
Photographs, texts and objects recount the viticultural
and wine history of the region. And a tasting
of their products give us a glimpse of today and a
vision of tomorrow’s wines.
NAOUSSA, SCALING THE HEIGHTS
TASTING WINES AND SPIRITS AT ZOINOS WINES GIVES YOU A GLIMPSE OF TODAY AND A
VISION OF TOMORROW’S WINES
NAOUSSA’S VINEYARDS ARE LOCATED ON THE SOUTH-EASTERN SLOPES OF MOUNT
VERMIO
The next stop is Naoussa, a picturesque town in
the green hinterland of Central Macedonia with a
famous carnival, and of course a well-known wine
region and deep red, robust wines.
Naoussa’s vineyards are situated on the south-eastern
slopes of Mount Vermio, in a blessed location.
Their altitude starts at 150 metres and climbs to
350 metres. The majority of the soils are clay with
or without calcium carbonate. Sheltered from the
cold northern winds, they benefit from the rays of
the midday sun.
The storied P.D.O. Naoussa wine is made exclusively
from Xinomavro. This fine red grape is well
adapted to continental climates and grown in
more areas than any other variety in Greece. Its
dominance extends from the slopes of the mountains
of Central Macedonia to Pindos. Xinomavro
in Naoussa reaches perfect ripeness effortlessly. It
shows remarkable potential in fermentation and
ageing aromas. It is favoured by the ecosystem.
Vaeni Naoussa, founded in 1984, is one of the largest
cooperatives in Greece and controls almost 50% of
Naoussa’s area under vine. It took its name from
the barrels used in bygone days to press the grapes
under foot (vaeni). As for the most authentic expression
of Naoussa wines, the people of Vaeni believe
that “although Naoussa has associated its name
with age-worthy wines, it has been proven that in
soils of medium to light mechanical composition,
Xinomavro can yield fresh wines with a strong
fruity character and a lot of finesse. In heavy soils,
on the other hand, it approaches higher levels of
56 WINTER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE