Kanakaris Malagousia High Altitude Vines 2024
On the nose there are lifted notes of lemon, white peach and pink grapefruit alongside dandelion flowers, fennel and grassy notes. The palate is richly textured and aromatic with a long finish, carried by a zesty acidity and lingering notes of samphire.
The vineyards for Kanakaris' Malagousia are in the heart of the viticultural zone of the slopes of Aigialeia, at an elevation of 800 to 900 metres above the Corinthian Gulf. The vines are planted on north-facing slopes on either side of the valleys and gorges of the five rivers of the Peloponnese. The Malagousia is produced from a local clone, which gives a palate of tropical fruits, herbs and citrus. The vines grow on Aigialeia’s sandy soils with a red and white clay topsoil. They have adapted well to the high elevation and sandy soils, which provide ideal conditions for slow ripening, delicate aromatics and freshness.
The grapes were harvested by hand and carefully selected in the vineyards, then transported to the winery in small crates. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, followed by pre-fermentation maceration on the skins at 8°C for 36 hours, followed by gentle pressing to yield the free-run juice. Fermentation took place at low temperatures of 12-14°C and was followed by two months on the fine lees in stainless steel tanks, to preserve freshness. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, and there was no oak ageing to best capture the characteristics of this distinctive Aegialia clone.
| RRP | £18.99 |
| Bottle size | 75cl |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Alcoholic strength | 11.5% |
| Country | Greece |
| Region | Peloponnese |
| Grapes | Malagousia 100% |
| Residual sugar (g/l) | 1.2 |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
| Winemaker | Michalis Kanakaris |
Aigialeia, in the northwestern Peloponnese, is among Greece’s most distinctive wine-growing regions. Set against the rugged terrain of the Panachaiko mountains, the area’s high elevations, northern exposure, steep, sloping vineyards and proximity to the Corinthian Gulf help moderate high temperatures, creating a growing environment unlike anything else in the Peloponnese. It is here that Michalis Kanakaris founded his eponymous winery in 1979, focusing on indigenous varieties Roditis, Sideritis and Mavro Kalavrytino grown on Aigialeia’s sandy, red/white clay soils. Today, Kanakaris is run by the third generation of Michalis’ family, with brothers Stefanos and Michalis taking over the reins in 2009.
Capturing a sense of place is at the core of Kanakaris’ winemaking ethos. Stefanos and Michalis work closely with like-minded growers, farming 55 hectares of vines planted between 450 and 1150 metres above sea level. These vineyards, dotted with olive groves and citrus trees, are situated on either side of the valleys and gorges of the five rivers of the Peloponnese, which flow down from the mountains to the Corinthian Gulf. While maintaining their grandfather's original focus on Roditis, Sideritis and Mavro Kalavrytino, the brothers have also added Malagousia , Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko to their remit, alongside the international varieties Merlot and Syrah. All Kanakaris’ fruit is hand-harvested and vinified in their recently renovated modern winery, equipped with a range of stainless-steel tanks to capture the aromatics of Greece’s indigenous varieties and Aigialeia’s vineyards.
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