The esteemed Greek historian and geographer of the 2nd century A.D., Pausanias, tirelessly traversed the entirety of Greece, bequeathing an invaluable legacy encapsulated in his magnum opus "Periegesis Hellados" (Description of Greece). His ten volumes are not only treasured by historians and archaeologists, but they also transport us to ancient Greece with their rich narrative detail. Within his accounts, we find far more than mere geographical descriptions. They provide us with a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of Greek civilization. Among numerous references, he identifies the communities around the Gulf of Corinth, in the north of the Peloponnese, as ideal for viticulture. This historical wealth has been astutely embraced by the viticulturist, oenologist, and co-founder of Tetramythos, Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos, along with the Spanos brothers, approaching a natural winemaking process akin to that of their forebears in these lands. It is the finest method to express the unique terroir of their vineyards, specifically located in the village of Aigialeia.
Born from vines nestled on the slopes of Mount Helmos, at an altitude of 850 meters above sea level, they introduce Tetramythos Agiorgitiko Natur. This single-varietal wine is made from the revived agiorgitiko grape variety, grown on vines facing the Gulf of Corinth, which are continually caressed by the sea breeze and rooted in calcareous, mineral-rich soils. They practice organic agriculture, reviving ancient techniques, and the harvest is conducted manually at the peak of ripeness. Once at the winery, only the finest grapes are selected to commence a classic red wine vinification with spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in stainless steel vats, free from any artificial intervention. Subsequently, the wine matures on lees for 3 months in the same vessels. Ultimately, it is bottled unfiltered, unclarified, and with just a minimal addition of sulfites.
Drawing inspiration from the references to the communities around the Gulf of Corinth, this oenologist has masterfully recaptured the essence of ancestral winemaking techniques. Tetramythos Agiorgitiko Natur is a fresh and mineral red wine that embodies the unique terroir of Aigialeia. It is a wine of which Pausanias himself would be exceedingly proud.