red grape · regional staple
Agiorgitiko
Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece
Say it
ah·yor·yee·tee·koh
Both γ (gamma) instances palatalize to a 'y' sound before front vowels; the name contracts Agios Georgios (Saint George) + -itiko (adjectival suffix)
On the palate
red cherrypomegranatered plumstrawberryvioletblack pepper
How you spot it blind: lush pomegranate and red cherry fruit with soft tannins and violet lift
The story
First written down · 16th century, Nemea, Greece (Ottoman records); PDO formalized 1971
Virtually all Greek Agiorgitiko vines were virus-infected until disease-free clones were released to growers in 2012.
Where it lives
Nemea PDO (Peloponnese) · Attica · Epirus
Shows up as
still redrosésweetNemea PDO
If you like this, try
Also answers to St. George.
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