Rouvalis Vineyards, Lagorthi, Peloponnese, Greece 2022

A fascinating wine from vines at 800m above sea level in the mountainous northern Peloponnese – the vineyard terraces overlook the Corinthian Gulf. The Rouvalis estate is run by a husband-and-wife team of trained oenologists, who have experience in Chile, New Zealand and Burgundy. Lagorthi, known in Puglia as Verdeca, is the indigenous white grape of the area, here given 25 days skin contact, and then time in stainless steel and amphora. You wouldn't guess at the extended skin contact from the still pale colour, but it has lent a lovely textural quality to the wine, which has a botanical rather than fruity profile, with hints of camomile and hay. Enjoy with falafel.