Christos Zafeirakis is preparing the new vintage of Prologue, the sparkling rosé from Limniona and Assyrtiko grape varieties. With this creation, the public will be given a new fresh and light wine proposal.
For the vinification of the new sparkling wine, the "traditional production method" has been used.
The traditional method is the process used in the Champagne region of France to produce champagne. It is also the method used in several French regions to produce sparkling wines (not called "champagne"), in Spain to produce cava, in Portugal to produce Espumante and in Italy to produce Franciacorta.
As the traditional method is both energy-intensive and costly, it is only viable for high quality sparkling wines.
The Charmat process is often used instead, to produce cheaper sparkling wines, and there are other methods,too.
Limniona, which should not be confused with Limnio, is the rising star of Greek red varieties and it is without doubt that it will be the driving force for top modern wine labels in Greece in the coming years. The quality potential of this red variety, used for the production of red and/or rosé dry wines, was only identified when the remaining vines of this variety were scarce. Several years of research and micro-vinifications, involving many scientists, growers and producers, began to yield impressive results. The variety is a personal bet of Christos Zafeirakis as he is the winemaker who invested first and more than anyone else in its re-emergence, presenting impressive high quality wines.
Limniona is one of these rare red varieties, which result in wines with extract, concentration, acidity, aromas and flavour, which do not tend to become thick and over-bodied.
The wine from Limniona has a vivid red colour. On the nose it is rich, very expressive, with intense aromas of red fruits, herbs and spices and a mineral character. The palate is broad and structured on robust but never aggressive tannins. The alcohol can be relatively high, although it rarely exceeds 13.5%, but it is always balanced by the intense acidity of the variety. Limniona comes from Thessaly and in particular from the areas of Tirnavos and Karditsa. Today, because of its promising profile, it is cultivated in various regions of Greece, but often experimentally.
Assyrtiko is a world-class white variety and one of the most important varieties found in the Mediterranean basin. It originated in Santorini (Assyrtiko-Santorini), but spread throughout Greece and became, in terms of quality, one of the most important indigenous varieties. In recent years it has been successfully cultivated internationally in countries such as Australia, South Africa, Italy, France, etc. and is a serious alternative crop for those areas of Europe affected by the aridity of climate change. It produces mainly dry white wines, some of which are aged in barrels, but also sweet wines produced from the sun-dried grapes (sun-dried wines) of the Assyrtiko variety in combination with other varieties grown mainly in Santorini.
Assyrtiko is one of those rare white grape varieties that can be cultivated in hot and dry climates, maintaining a high sugar content (potential alcohol) in perfect balance with its lively acidity. It is a variety that focuses on structure, extract and flavour volume rather than on aromatic character.
Assyrtiko is addressed to people who seek white wines with an unconventional, intense style and focus on the structure and expression of the terroir. It offers impressions that go far beyond the average, "commercially appealing" dry white wine, and is very friendly with food, especially grilled fish and seafood. It is a variety with excellent ageing potential.
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