IGP Macedoine "Pata Trava" (White) 2022

A white 100% Xinomavro, made from a direct press of this red grape. A stunning textural wine with a slight pinkish hue that lies somewhere between a rosé and an orange wine. A unique style with real depth of flavour. Slight vegetal aromas plus dried currant, pear and raspberry. The palate sings with vegetal notes– dried tomato, artichoke, green olive. 2022 was a hot vintage, so the grapes were drier and less juicer than expected, thus the wine has slight tannins.

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. 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 grape. The name Pata Trava means “acid black”, a reference to this blanc de noirs style. The red Xinomavro grapes come from a plot near Noussa at around 300m elevation which is harvested earlier to find the balance of ripeness and freshness. This is the only wine the domain produces which does not undergo skin maceration and winemaker Meli Ligas says “With Xino, the less skin contact, the more green the flavours.”

Vinification: Grapes from 20-25 year-old Xinomavro vines growing on clay and limestone soils are hand-harvested, gently pressed to avoid extraction of colour, then naturally fermented in a stainless steel tank. Aged in very old ex-Bordeaux barriques for 8-10 months. Unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulphites.

Match it with: Charcuterie, tapenades, tomato bruschetta, truffle risotto (Meli says Xinos develop truffle flavours).