Mikro Ktima Titos - PDO Goumenissa

80% Xinomavro – 20% Negoska

After their manual harvest at the end of September, the two local varieties, Xinomavro and its obligatory blending partner Negoska, are co-macerated and co-fermented, and the wine is aged in oak.

Mikro Ktima Titos is the result of conventional red vinification with continued maceration until the end of the alcoholic fermentation and gentle stirring. After the completion of the ensuing malolactic fermentation, the wine matures one year in mainly large French oak barrels.

The bright ruby wine is characterised by a profusely fragrant nose of ripe red summer fruits. Aromas of strawberry, morello cherry and raspberry merge with layers of herbal and subtle floral scents suggestive of sun-dried tomatoes, rosemary, jasmine and allspice.

Strawberry - Morello Cherry - Raspberry - Rosemary - Allspice

In the mouth, this medium-bodied dry red is elegant with lively acidity and silky tannins that underpin a wealth of fruit flavours. This well-balanced wine has good depth and a long aftertaste that is sure to impress.

This wine is delicious now but will keep when cellared for 5 to 7 years.

Serve at 14-16oC

Aging potential: 5-7 years

Mikro Ktima Titos

In Central Macedonia, at the foot of the Paiko mountain range near the provincial town of Goumenissa, surrounded by age-old oaks, lies Mikro Ktima Titos (meaning: Small Estate of Titos). It is here, along the banks of the river Sirios, that Titos Eftychidis planted in 1972 a 4-hectares vineyard with the varieties Xinomavro, Negoska, Cabernet Sauvignon, Limnio and Viognier.

The long friendship of Vangelis Gerovassiliou with Titos led Angeliki Eftychidis to leave the vineyard of her late husband in the hands he trusted most. The acquisition by the owners of Ktima Biblia Chora became official in 2018. Vangelis Gerovassiliou and Vassilis Tsaktsarlis got a foothold in Goumenissa, where they set out to create, with love and respect, first-class quality red wines of the PDO Goumenissa appellation.

Goumenissa

Goumenissa is a picturesque town in Central Macedonia, built at the foot of mountain Paiko along the river Sirios. It is located 40 km from the city of Kilkis and 75 km from Thessaloniki. Goumenissa is known for its traditional music and impromptu brass bands as well as silk and quality wine production.

In fact, Goumenissa has a rich wine history that stretches back to Byzantine antiquity. The celebration of St Tryphon, the patron saint of winegrowers, is to this day a warming feast in the depths of winter, and a living testimonial to the importance of wine in everyday life.

The Goumenissa appellation was granted PDO status in 1979. Comprising only 200 hectares, it is one of the smallest wine zones in Greece. The demarcated region includes the municipality of Goumenissa as well as communities of the prefecture of Kilkis such as Gerakonas, Filiria, and Pentalofos, amongst others.

Most vineyards planted with the red varieties Xinomavro and Negoska extend on the east-facing, gentle-rolling slopes of Mount Paiko at 150 meters altitude and higher.

The climate is continental. Summer heatwaves are tempered by the influence of the river Sirios and mitigating cool breezes. In the winter months, moisture is dispersed by the Vardar, a cold north-westerly ravine wind.

The soil is mainly clayey, rich in granite and limestone. It is rather coarse, providing good drainage and thus suitable for organic farming.

The terroir generally benefits the style of wines which characteristically demonstrate a broad and soft palate, fresh natural acidity, well-defined fruit flavours and serious density.