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Wines from Greece consistently garner acclaim among connoisseurs. This week, the focus shines on the intriguing moschofilero, a cultivar ideal for discovery if you're seeking a fresh experience at reasonable rates.

A historic grape variety, moschofilero is grown mostly across Peloponnesian regions including the elevated Mantinia plateau. The chilly environment and considerable height enable this subtle variety attain ideal ripeness. Although the wines share a consistent acid structure, they also extend from highly perfumed to refreshing and zesty.

What's It Like?

To grasp moschofilero, it's beneficial to establish parallels. Similar to grey pinot, this varietal displays a striking rosy-pink skin despite being a white grape. Whenever the must is left in contact with the skins, it turns a lovely blush pink. Such wines are frequently marketed as rosé wines, however actually they qualify as skin-contact whites because they come with white fruit.

Another grape to mention includes gewürztraminer. Moschofilero may also yield exceptionally fragrant vintages featuring hints of floral tones, stone fruit, and beyond. This versatility has earned it the title protean fruit, emphasizing its capacity to yield diverse styles of wine—a key factor for which modern sommeliers value it with great affection.

Food Matching Flexibility

As a white wine, the varietal provides a lively crispness that pairs beautifully with dishes with fresh herbs and Greek-style savory baked goods. When made as pink wine, it pairs beautifully with delicate meats like lamb salads. However, the compelling expression is the skin-contact wine category, which has extended maceration. These bottles are often intense regarding color and structure, yet they blend citrusy notes with earthy tea-like hints and a clean conclusion. They complement excellently with chargrilled skewers, bright greens, and appetizers served with bread.

Finding Moschofilero

Shoppers wanting to acquire the varietal are excited to learn that a number of major retailers now include it within their exclusive ranges. For those opt to support specialists, dedicated shops provide along with moschofilero and additionally Hellenic items such as artisan oils, local cheeses, cured meats, and bread.

A Quartet to Try

• Discover & Enjoy Moschofilero Rosé — A fragrant rosé carrying tones of floral fruit and perfumed elegance.
• Bosinakis PDO Mantinia — A bone-dry white wine showcasing blossom and flint notes.
• Danaon Gea Blended Moschofilero — Created through championing lesser-known cultivars, this blend pairs moschofilero and muscat and roditis.
• Zacharias Moschofilero 2023 — A gentle and peachy interpretation of this variety.