Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi Monemvasios Laconia (3-bottle case)

The Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi was founded in 1997 with a clear objective: to revive the production of Malvasia wine in its birth place. The Frankish name for Monemvasia is Malvasia, which originally lent its name to the wine. In the 12th century and for the subsequent 300 years, this wine ruled the European world. It is still produced in many countries, but until recently was not being produced in the country of its origin Greece. The Monemvasia Winery created the first privately owned 121 hectares of vineyard, planted with local varieties. It is committed to producing quality wines which showcase the characteristics of the indigenous varieties and the terroir of the peninsula of Maleas.

The Agiorgitiko and Mavroudi vines are grown on the peninsula of Maleus at the edge of the Parnonas mountain range. The elevation of the vineyard ranges from zero to 500 metres. Surrounded by the Myrtoo Sea to the northwest and by the Laconian Gulf to the southwest, the vineyards are influenced by Mediterranean climate with high sunshine hours and sea breezes. The soils are acidic and are low in organic matter. All these factors contribute in creating a unique terroir and the climatic conditions present an ideal environment for healthy vines, which are cultivated with minimal intervention.

Selected grapes were destemmed, crushed and inoculated with carefully selected yeasts. Co-fermentation took place of the two varieties in the same stainless steel tank. An extended maceration took place at 28°C, to extract colour and structure; and to allow the Agiorgitiko variety to express its opulent characteristics. Fermentation was followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. The wine underwent four month’s maturation on the lees with bâtonnage, followed by racking and maturation in 225 litre oak barriques of which 25% were new and 75% were second use, for 12 months. This wine is only released after significant bottle ageing.