A fine, fragrant and tasty, natural sparkling white wine made from the popular variety Debina of Zitsa. It has a rich foam and duration in its bubbles which provides the wine with complex aromas. It is produced using the traditional method of Champagne, i.e. second fermentation in the bottle, where the wine remains on its lees for about 18 months, and the pressure in the bottle reaches 5 atmospheres. Colour: Clear and vivid with golden-yellow nuances, intense bubbles and crystal transparency. Nose: Rich aromas of citrus blossoms, apple and pear with a hint of sweet aromas which give its aromatic character. Mouth: Youthful taste, lively with hints of fine spices. It impresses with its creamy texture, refreshing acidity, rich fruity flavour and lemon blossoms as well as its yeasty flavour, the aromas of coconut, almond and the hints of fine spices. The complexity remains with a long aftertaste.
At a glance
GrapeDebina
RegionNorthern Greece
Vintage2012
ABV11.5%
Grape
Debina
Debina is the white grape of Zitsa, in the mountains of Epirus, where it has been the main variety since at least the 16th century. Its naturally high acidity and low alcohol make it especially suited to sparkling and semi-sparkling wine, traditionally made using the closed-tank (cuve close) method, though it also produces fresh, still whites with apple and pear character.
Producer
In the most remote and distant vinicultural region of Greece, in the North-West of the country, as well as the smallest PDO region to be found in Greece, Glinavos vineyards are located within the Pindos mountain range and around the old town of Zitsa, 17 km NW from the city of Ioannina. They extend to approximately 60 hectares at an altitude of 650-700m, where the climate is predominantly continental with cold, early starting winters, cool summers and a good amount of precipitation. Here, the indigenous grape varieties “Vlahiko”, “Bekari” and above all the white “Debina” grow. “Debina” gives to the zone the privilege to produce wines of Protected Designation of Origin and traditionally sparkling. This sparkling wine style has been produced in the area for centuries and Zitsa receives a notable mention by Lord Byron in his poem “Pilgrimage of Child Harold”, written in 1809, during the poet’s visit to the local monastery.
