IGP Macedoine “Gaia Amphora” (Orange) 2019

Ligas’ top wine, this is a 100% Kydonitsa with one month of maceration in clay amphora. The result is a rich, complex wine with stunning freshness. A nose of salted pineapple, with flavours of peach and dried apricot, with hints of pine, herbs and white balsamic. Very textural with a long finish. An absolute must for lovers of heady orange wines. Meli advises to open an hour or two in advance for younger vintages.

The Story: Ktima Ligas was founded in 1985 in Thessaloniki, Greece by Thomas Ligas, with a quest to revive both the traditional varieties and traditional agriculture of the Pella region through respect and cooperation with nature. Today the Domaine is run by his daughter Meli, who continues the focus on permaculture and local grapes, and adapts her cuvées to each vintage, parcel and variety. Thomas helped revive Kydonitsa, with the first vines planted in 2007 and the first wine released in 2013. Since then has it developed a real following and a renaissance is underway. The amphorae used to age this wine were custom made for the Domaine by a local artist using clay from the Atlas mountains.

Vinification: Grapes from 15 year-old Kydonitsa vines growing on clay and limestone soils are hand-harvested, gently pressed to avoid extraction of colour, and macerated on the skins for one month. The juice is then fed to cellar by gravity. The wine is fermented in barrel and aged 6-8 months in clay amphora. Unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulphites.

Match it with: smoked fish, charcuterie, roast pork, spiced chicken, hard cheeses.