Status : Traditional Appellation, country wine of Attica, flavoured during fermentation with resin from the Aleppo pine.
Grape variety : Savatiano
Vineyards : On the north-east facing slopes of Mt. Parnes in Attica
Characteristics: A clear, pale to golden-yellow colour. A delicate aroma of pine on the nose. Fresh and rich on the palate, the wine develops the characteristics of the Savatiano grape, with the development of a piney flavour at the back of the throat. A nicely balanced, delicately flavoured retsina with a clean crisp finish.
Food/Serving : A wine to accompany food, especially strong flavoured and spicy dishes. The Greeks consume it with their starters (mezes), but it can also accompany white meat and fish dishes.
Best consumed young and chilled (7o – 9oC).
Other comments: The Kourtaki brand of retsina is the undisputed brand leader in Greece and around the world. Its distinctive yellow label is the first choice of retsina lovers around the world. In Greece it commands a 65% share of the bottled retsina market.
Whilst all of Greece can produce retsina, there are three core regions which possess designations of origin, and of these the region of Attica is the most noted. Our retsina originates from Attica, and is thereby required to be made from the single grape variety, Savatiano. Other regions of Greece can use any grape or blend of grapes to produce retsina. Accordingly, our production of Retsina of Attica is checked each year by the Greek authorities and we are then supplied with the relevant certification to allow us to number individually each bottle as a guarantee of authenticity.
We use the minimum amount of resin permitted to flavour the must during fermentation so as to produce a lightly flavoured, well balanced wine in which both the resination and the varietal characteristics of the Savatiano can be appreciated. It appears that it is this style that has helped to make the brand so popular.