Notos Retsina, Kanakaris

Traditional Greek Retsina

Aigialeia, in the northwestern Peloponnese, is among Greece’s most distinctive wine-growing regions. Set against the rugged terrain of the Panachaiko mountains, the area’s high elevations, northern exposure, steep, sloping vineyards and proximity to the Corinthian Gulf help moderate high temperatures, creating a growing environment unlike anything else in the area. It is here that Michalis Kanakaris founded his eponymous winery in 1979, focusing on indigenous varieties Roditis, Sideritis and Mavro Kalavrytino grown on Aigialeia’s sandy, red/white clay soils. Today, Kanakaris is run by the third generation of Michalis’ family, with brothers Stefanos and Michalis taking over the reins in 2009.

A style of wine unique to Greece, Retsina has been made for over 2,000 years and nods to the ancient winemaking techniques of sealing amphorae with pine resin. Today, it is made by co-fermenting a small amount of pine resin with Roditis to create a fresh, aromatic white with a lightly resinous texture.

Colour – White
Producer – Kankaris
Country – Greece
Region – Peloponnese
Vegan – Yes
ABV – 11.5%
Grapes – Roditis
Vintage – 2023
Sustainability – Non-Organic
Female Winemaker – No
Food Pairings – Greek Meze