VINE GROWING
Our pride, though, is Mouhtaro, one of the rarest Greek red grape varieties, which is found exclusively in the Valley of the Muses and has a special place in our vineyards and in the history of the Muses Estate. This is because this varietal still exists thanks to the efforts of Nicolaos and Athanasios Zaharias, who insisted on cultivating Mouhtaro vines when all the other growers were replacing it with better yielding varieties. Because, Mouhtaro gives low yields, a feature that at that time it was considered as negative, but now it is seen as one of the quality factors of a grape. Wines made from Mouhtaro have a complex aromatic character composed of fruity, vegetal and botanical aromas. In the mouth they show soft, silky tannins and a pronounced acidity, which offers them the possibility to age for many years and acquire further complexity and concentration. In Muses Estate we have great trust in the potential of Mouhtaro and of the other indigenous grapes. Our focus will always be on these varieties because we believe that only they can reflect the climate and the soil of the Greek vineyard and the passion of the people producing quality Greek wine.
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Vinification
We cultivate the white varieties, Assyrtiko, Savatiano, Malagousia, Roditis, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Robola and Trebbiano, and the red, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Grenache Rouge.
2020Growing season and harvest
Note Date: 11/2020
Winemaker: Nikos Zacharias
As we approach bottling period for our first wines, following completed fermentations, we want to share with you some words for this year’s growing season, and of course recent harvest.
Following a trouble-free winter, spring came in with lots of rain, but even more importantly, with a day of severe hail, at a point just after flowering of the vines. Bad news for us, as this caused an average 15% yield loss. On the other hand, … good news for all of you, as quality is expected above average, due to vine’s effort focused into less grapes! An ancient saying of the Muses goes like “something good will always come out of something bad”.
July had a small heat wave, with temperatures 30% above average, but our vine’s big age, helping them dig deep to reach water reserves, and our immediate canopy management response, helped out efficiently. Vines are our kids. We are constantly looking after them.
Harvest came in August and September flawlessly, with ideal weather conditions. As stated by our oenologist, whites are expected with high acidities, and reds with excellent phenolic ripeness (ripe tannins) and good aromatic potential.
With the wines intended for aging already in oak barrels, the vintage looks great with clean and precise fruit, along with perfect balance.