Tetramythos Retsina Amphore Nature NV

Tetramythos Retsina Amphore Nature NV

Tetramythos
$20.00

Grape: Roditis
Vintage: NV
Type: White

This low-intervention white wine represents a traditional Greek Retsina crafted in clay amphorae from the indigenous roditis grape. The fruit is hand-harvested from high-altitude organic vineyards in Aigialeia and co-fermented with a small amount of local Aleppo pine resin. Spontaneous fermentation relies on native vineyard wild yeasts inside buried terracotta jars, completely avoiding modern temperature adjustments. It undergoes natural settling in clay to integrate the resinous components cleanly without forcing any chemical enhancements.

It displays a bright straw color, releasing a captivating nose of citrus zest, green apple, and subtle pine resin. A sleek, medium-bodied frame pairs dried herb flavors with a distinctive, tea-like tannin structure from the clay contact. A focused wave of mountain acidity cuts directly through the slightly waxy texture, keeping the mouthfeel thoroughly refreshed. The pine element acts more as an elegant, structural component than a dominant flavor across the center. It concludes bone-dry and savory.

Tetramythos is a pioneering organic winery located in Ano Diakopto, on the northern slopes of the Peloponnese in Greece. Founded in 1999 by brothers Aristides and Stathis Spanos along with winemaker Panagiotis Papagiannopoulos, the estate is renowned for its commitment to minimal intervention and its high-altitude vineyards, which sit between 650 and 1,050 meters above sea level on the slopes of Mount Helmos. The cooling breezes from the Gulf of Corinth and the region's limestone soils allow them to produce wines with exceptional freshness, natural acidity, and a distinctive mineral character. The winery is particularly famous for its work with indigenous Greek varieties, most notably the rare Mavro Kalavrytino, which they helped save from extinction, as well as Roditis, Agiorgitiko, and Malagousia.

In the cellar, Papagiannopoulos employs a natural winemaking philosophy that includes spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts and the use of diverse aging vessels like clay amphorae. Their portfolio is divided into a classic organic range and a Natur line, the latter of which features wines made with zero or minimal added sulfites. One of their most celebrated creations is their Retsina, which is fermented in amphorae with high-quality resin from local pine trees, reinventing a traditional style with modern precision and purity. By focusing on site-specific expressions and traditional methods, Tetramythos has established itself as a leader in the Greek natural wine movement, producing artisanal bottles that reflect the wild, mountainous terroir of Aegialia.