Agiorgitiko and bobal are far from being household words in the United States, but these grape varieties are certainly well known in their east and west Mediterranean native countries where they are primarily grown. Agiorgitiko (pronounced ah-yor-YEE-te-ko) is the top red wine grape in Greece and bobal is the third most widely planted red grape in Spain. The following two wines are examples of why these native varieties are so popular at home.
Seméli 2021 Feast Red, Peloponnese, GreeceBought • Grapevine Wines, 309 South Kirkwood Road, in February for $12.99
Description • Agiorgitiko wine is often nicknamed the Blood of Hercules because the Greek hero supposedly drank Agiorgitiko wine before killing the vicious Nemean lion. That tale may make this wine sound pretty powerful, but instead, it’s fresh, light and fruity, much in the style of a French Beaujolais. This is a delightful, fun red that’s so very easy to drink. It has lots of juicy plum and berry flavors and a refreshing acidity that makes you want to keep sipping. Best served chilled, it’s great with pasta and pizza with tomato sauce, chicken and spanakopita.
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Bodegas Mustiguillo 2018 Mestizaje Bobal, El Terrerazo, SpainBought • Grapevine Wines, 309 South Kirkwood Road, in
February for $13.99
Description • This high-scoring intriguing red carries the Vino de Pago classification given to certain individual Spanish vineyards or estates. It comes from Valencia’s highly regarded Bodegas Mustiguillo, owner of the El Terrerazo estate that is one of about 20 Vinos de Pago properties in Spain. Full-bodied and complex, it’s an organic grape blend dominated by bobal with smaller amounts of garnacha and syrah. Aged in French oak, this is an earthy wine with soft tannins that tastes of dark fruit with hints of black pepper, licorice and cocoa. It would go well with smoked meats, grilled steak and traditional Valencian paella.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch lists the best-reviewed wines of 2022. The list has been divided into sparkling, white and red wines.
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