"Bottles full of ego belie finesse of Greek wines"
From "On Wine" by David Lawrason,
The Globe and Mail, October 7, 1995

"There are some remarkable wines on today's Vintages new product release. I was not expecting to be impressed by a Greek line called Amethystos, a red, a white and rose form a new winery called Domaine Constantin Lazaridi. In fact, everything about the presentation made my cynical fibres fibrillate - right down to the extra long corks, a sign of extended ego and big-league aspirations.
...
When I finally tasted the wines, lo and behold they were very good, diluting my cynicism. The mid-weight Amethystos 1993 red ($28.00), a blend of cabernet and native limnio, sports considerable finesse and length with floral, spicy components and racy berry fruit mindful of zinfandel (90, the threshold of excellence). The 1994 white (19.70), which combines sauvignon blanc, semillon and native asyrtico, has Mediterranean mineral, lime and nutty tones that do not impress by magnitude, but it is crisp, beautifully balanced and substantial (88). The 1994 Rose (19.70), available in more limited quantities, is made entirely from cabernet sauvignon grapes. It too is very finely tuned with fresh pomegranate or cranberry flavours and lightly sweet yet crisp finish (88) . Someone at Domaine Constantin Lazaridi has a very fine touch."

"Consignment pick. Alex Kitts's Vergina Imports (364-1060) specializes in Greece (Santorini, Paros, Crete, Macedonia, Atalanti Valley), selling much to such restaurants as Avli, Centro. Thanks to improved technology and skills, we can look forward to some great wines from that country.

Gerovassiliou Red 1993 $28.70
Macedonia
Bordeaux-educated Evangelos Gerovassiliou cuts a figure among the new generation, his immaculate vineyards of traditional varietals and French vinifera at Epanomi, by Thessaloniki. Sixty per cent grenache, rest petite syrah, aged 12 to 18 months in French barriques. Rich, soft, flowery, sweet, oaky vanilla tastes. Gold of gold at Vinexpo '93. By six-bottle case."

"The organization is still young and its infrastructure is not as advanced as it might be in Tuscany or France for example. Nevertheless, the wine-loving tourist can visit more than a dozen properties.
One of them, the lovely Ktima (Estate) Gerovassiliou, is located not far from the Thessaloniki airport, in the rolling farmland of Epanomi. Bordeaux educated Evangelos Gerovassiliou is a leading figure among the new generation of Greek wine makers. His vineyards are well-tended and immaculate, and his winery state of the art.
Mr. Gerovassiliou is the vanguard of a new development in Greek vineyards - he grows both traditional Greek grapes as well as other European varietals. His off-beat red wine, for example, is an equal combination of Syrah and Grenache. It is rich, spicy and generously wooded without being over-oaked. The reds are aged in the estate's cellar. His white wine, made from the noble Greek variety Assyrtico, is vibrant and fresh."

"Greece is a Mediterranean country with a rich history in wine and the foods that go along with it. Yet, it has been overlooked as far as my wine cellar and my palate are concerned.
My recollection and selection of Greek wines have been scant at best, and those wines which I did sample were quite ordinary, displaying their overpowering retsina flavors, a flavor that is only enjoyable to those who grew up with it.
Today there are still a few wines which I am not crazy about, but those of quality are definitely something to be reckoned with....
Not only good, but excellent, is the '93 Red Amethystos, CSPC 724831, for a hefty $27.90. Heavily aged in wood, this complex, yet smooth wine will rival many of the great Bordeaux or Barolos."