Nemea

Nemea and Naoussa (in Macedonia) are Greece's two great red wine appellations. But where Naoussa uses the Xinomavro variety and produces outstanding but sometimes challenging reds, Nemea is all about Agiorgitiko - a naturally easygoing, charming variety. The Nemea appellation incorporates sixteen villages but most of the wines are blends of several, so the name of the producer is the best guide to what's in the bottle. Different growers have different approaches, making wines that range from juicy, fresh and ripe, to deeper, and more tannic, often with judicious additions of new oak. The best are long-lived yet approachable, with a fine, balanced structure and lots of Agiorgitiko's upfront red berry fruit.