Gaia Estate Ritinitis Noblis Retsina NV 750ml

I defy those who think they hate all Retsina to find something bad to say about having a cold glass of Ritinítis Nobilis with a spring or summer salad. The pine element is so elegantly integrated into the base wine—which is obviously of higher quality than that of many a Retsína of yesteryear, as shown in the texture of the fruit—that it will win over a lot of skeptics. Writer Jamal Rayyis found a fresh-cut celery note in the wine, while Dimítrios Karagiánnis, of NYC’s Nerai, stipulated adding anchovies to that crisp salad pairing. (Best Buy)

• Country: Greece
• Region: Crete
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White
• Alcohol by Vol: 12.5%

Varietal

Retsina

Retsina is a unique style of Greek wine flavored with pine resin, dating back to ancient times when resin was used to seal amphorae containers. It is primarily made from the Savatiano grape variety grown in Attica and other parts of mainland Greece. Retsina wines are characterized by their distinct aroma of pine resin, which infuses the wine with a resinous and slightly herbal flavor profile. They are typically light-bodied, crisp, and refreshing, with flavors of citrus fruits and a subtle earthy undertone from the resin. What makes Retsina unique is its historical significance as one of the oldest styles of wine production in the world, reflecting Greece’s ancient winemaking traditions and cultural heritage. Retsina has experienced a revival in recent years, with modern production techniques balancing the resin’s influence to create wines that are more approachable and appealing to contemporary tastes. Retsina is enjoyed as an apéritif or paired with traditional Greek dishes such as seafood and mezze, offering a taste of Greece’s rich culinary and vinicultural history.