I just spent a fascinating couple of hours tasting Greek wines during lunch at Crave.

This is not Pine-Sol-y Retsina. These are wines made with native grapes: crisp, dry, aromatic whites and fun, fresh, stainless-steel reds. And one kick-ass rose.

For the whites look for Roditis. I had a 100% Roditis and then a Roditis/Gewurtz/Sauv Blanc blend.

The rose, Kir-Yianni Akakeis, is made from Xinomavro.

I wasn’t wild about some of the higher-end, oaked reds, but the unoaked reds were wonderful. I especially like the Lafazanis St. George and the Ktima Kir-Yianni Paranga. It’s a blend of Xinomavro, Syrah, and Merlot. Like a Cru Beajolais or maybe a nice unoaked French Rhone syrah, would also be nice slightly chilled.

I never knew these wines existed and I am really stoked! It’s exciting to feel like you are at the forefront of something big. These wines are that good. You’ll be seeing them all over soon and not just in restaurants.

Now I have to run spell check on this post. What a fucking nightmare!