Moschomavro, Magoutes Vineyard, Diamantis - 2021

Don't let Greek wine intimidate you because the varieties are tough to pronounce. I often find that wines overlooked due to pronunciation anxiety are some of the most fun to drink. Case in point: Maschomavro (Moss-KOH-mah-vroh). This native grape grows on bush-trained vines in the mountainous, northern part of the country. The soil is chunky limestone, adding airy freshness to the wine. As opposed to some of the bolder red varieties grown in neighboring regions, this is pale and crunchy with zippy acid, and notes of cherry, pomegranate and dried raspberries. It's totally chillable, too. If you want an alternative to the more ubiquitous colors of wine consumed in the summer, or something with a bit more energy than the spicy, fuller bodied reds associated with winter, this variety is a sure bet.