Thymiopoulos Vineyards, Xinomavro, Naoussa, Macedonia, Greece 2019

The synergy Apostolos Thymiopoulos shares with the Xinomavro grape and Naoussa in Greece is a harmonious triumvirate that seems to gather more fans daily. To find a wine of this quality, widely available and for under £15 is indeed a boon for wine fans. This Xinomavro, from 25 year old grapes (40% from Trilofos village and 60% from high altitude - 500m - Fytia), has a thrilling balance between fruit, acidity and fine firm tannin thanks to the light touch of six months in oak. Very pale in the glass, if you’re a fan of Barbaresco from Piedmont or Pinot Noir from Alsace, this falls into that similarly ethereal world of elegance and poise. Evocative of rosehip and sundried tomato with cranberry bite and pomegranate depth, there’s an allspice intrigue to this captivating wine. Picture a cherry-coloured flare trailing over a bright winter sky and you’re on the way to this wine’s vibrancy. It’s delicious to decant with roast lamb but serve it with any tomato-based sauce dishes from aubergines to pasta, fish to ratatouille and delight in this brilliant Greek grape.