Random Questions for a Winemaker

I have asked two young and talented winemakers a few questions, here are their answers :

1. Which is the wine that you are more proud of?

• Chloe Chatzivariti (Chatzivaritis Estate): I am proud of all my wines, but the one that has a special place in my heart is Flor 2021.
• Christoforos Georgiadis (Argatia Winery): I am really proud of the Naoussa PDO Single Vineyard 2020 Xinomavro. For me that wine signifies the balance between the traditional and modern style of winemaking. I also believe that making this wine was one of the best choices I ever made.

2. Υour Netflix wine? Pair it with the junk food you eat during a movie.

• Chloe Chatzivariti: I would go for Negoska Carbonic, which is a fun and relatively funky wine to pair your movies with. I would certainly go for pizza!
• Christoforos Georgiadis: I would normally go for a rose with high acidity (yes xinomavro). Chilled and served in a proper glass!

3. Your Greek cheese platter wine?

• Chloe Chatzivariti: I love all cheeses and I can pair them with anything. I have absolutely no favorite.. So, bring them on!
• Christoforos Georgiadis: That would be a good Naoussa wine. Probably the 2018 vintage. It’s not going to perfectly match all the cheeses but it would stand perfectly by their side so I think it is a fantastic option.

4. Which wine would you advise a tourist to buy from Greece to take back home?

• Chloe Chatzivariti: For white I would recommend Mi which is Asyrtiko barrel fermented and for red I would advise a PDO Goumenissa.
• Christoforos Georgiadis: I would focus on PDO areas that produce single variety wines like, Naoussa, Nemea, Santorini, Crete, Cephalonia. For the red I would pick a Naoussa (what else?), and for the whites I would go for my personal favorite Robola from Cephalonia.

5. What advice would you give to your 25 year old self?

• Chloe Chatzivariti: Don’t ever listen to people who tell you that you cannot make it. You can !!
• Christoforos Georgiadis: Don’t be picky about wines, taste, taste, taste.

6. What is your favorite cocktail?

• Chloe Chatzivariti: Negroni for winter and Aperol Spritz for summer
• Christoforos Georgiadis: I like Daiquiri (lemon, acidic). But I try the signature cocktail in some bars that look like they know what they are doing. You know, taste, taste, taste!