Gaia Notios Red 2025

Gaia Wines was founded in 1994 by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos and Leon Karatsalos, growers at the forefront of the modern Greek wine revival. Notios, meaning southern, is a blend of the native Agiorgitiko and Syrah from the hills of the Peloponnese. The grapes come from a low-yield, unirrigated vineyard, where dry farming forces the vines to root deep and limits the crop, concentrating flavour in the fruit. The hill sites and altitude bring cool nights that keep acidity fresh and give the wine its savoury, herbal lift, while the warm Mediterranean days ripen Agiorgitiko's soft red fruit and Syrah's pepper and spine. The wine sees a period in wood that rounds the texture and settles the tannin without dominating the fruit. The colour is bright ruby. The nose shows red berries, plum and cherry over black pepper, dried herbs and a stony, earthy edge. The palate is medium bodied and fresh, with soft tannin, lively acidity and a savoury, peppery finish. Serve at 15 to 17C. It suits grilled lamb, tomato-based dishes and roast vegetables.