Navitas winery : Terre de Zeus – The Land of Zeus
Navitas winery
: Terre de Zeus – The Land of Zeus
Article by: Jessica / Bottles Wine & Spirit sommelier
Have you met the newest addition to the Bottle’s family? If not, let me formally introduce you to Navitas Winery from Pieria, Macedonia. Located in Litochoro, with the grandeur of Mount Olympus in the north, the vineyards are safely nestled on these slopes!
Maria Demetriades comes from a family intertwined with wine, so after achieving a degree in psychology, she decided to also pursue a master’s in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide. In 2015, Maria decided to use the family-owned vineyards located on the foothills of Mount Olympus, and with that, 2020 was the winery’s first vintage. Another reason that makes Navitas special is that their wines all come from single vineyards with Organic farming and Vegan certifications!
Navitas Assyrtiko I was pleasantly surprised the first time I tried this Assyrtiko. This wine offers fresh aromas of citrus, lemon, and lemon blossoms, with underlying botanical notes, all combined with a flirty flintiness! The mouthfeel is juicy and fresh, with wonderful flavors of pink grapefruit juice, lemon, fresh mint, and again the slight flintiness found on the nose. I daydream of sipping this wine by the beach, snacking on some fried baby calamari, and catching up with good friends!
Navitas Malagousia What an expressive beauty! Produced from 22-year-old vines, it introduced me to aromas of ripe peach, apricots, and orange peels, combined with florals that reminisce jasmine and elderflower. On the palate, lemon is accompanied by a zippy acidity of grapefruit and orange peels. This is a wine to chill with during the afternoons on your veranda with some chill beats and a mango prawn poke bowl!
Navitas Chardonnay – 52 Peaks This wine takes its name from the 52 peaks of Mount Olympus, from which it originates. An elegant Chardonnay, it expresses aromas of tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango. Then come aromas of brioche, vanilla, and almonds. On the palate, you will find a creamy texture with notes of honey and white peach. Drooling at the thought of this wine paired with a creamy mushroom risotto!
Navitas Mountcloud Mountcloud is the only rosé of the winery, made from 100% Grenache Rouge. With its sweet pink color, this is a wine to fall in love with every sip you take! On the nose, crunchy red berries like strawberry and cranberries make way to spicy white pepper notes. The mouthfeel is juicy with flavors of white peach and pomegranate. Sunsets and Mountcloud? Oh yes, please! Extra points are earned if paired with honey-glazed shrimps and feta saganaki!
Navitas Xinomavro Ahhh, one of Greece’s noble grape varieties, and rightfully so, as I must admit that I personally have a soft spot for this variety! A young and fruity Xinomavro, with noticeable notes of strawberry, raspberry, and cherry, pairs off with the varietal aromas of tomato and dried oregano. Silky on the palate, all flavor elements of fruit, vegetables, and herbs complement each other. This wine would be a dream with moussaka or stuffed vine leaves!
Navitas Cabernet Sauvignon If you are searching for concentrated flavor, then look no further as this is the Cabernet for you! Grapes are sourced from 22-year-old vines from the highest plot of the winery, with clay-based soils. This wine undergoes a 12-month maturation in a combination of French oak barrels and clay amphoras. Expressive on the nose, with dark fruit being the centerpiece, with aromas reminiscent of baked plums and black cherry. Sweet spices like cinnamon and star anise complement the bouquet, while you lose yourself in every sip you take. Rich and dense mouthfeel, with flavors of ripe blackberry and bramble, swirling with vanilla and pepper. I would keep this wine for those chilly evenings, with a beautiful slow-cooked beef stew and mashed potatoes!