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December
2006
From us all
at CPA we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a
very Merry Christmas and health and happiness for the New Year
2007.
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FEATURE PROPERTY:
AGIOS
MARKOS
This 17th Century Stone Villa has recently been renovated
preserving its period details but incorporating modern
comforts.
The historic home features high wood-beamed ceilings, stone
or wood floors and 3 fireplaces. Several terraces brimming
with vibrant flowers, orange and lemon trees are perfect
places for relaxing.
From everywhere there are stunning views of hills, olive and
cypress groves to the sea and across to Corfu Town and the
Old Fortress.
REDUCED TO:
398.000 euros
More information |
CORFIOT WINE
Following on from our last month’s feature on the history of
wine in Greece, we would like to introduce you to the some of
the varieties of vines on Corfu and wines produced here.
Corfu is
dominated by two mountains which divide it into three parts. In
the north there are small verdant valleys with mainly red
varieties in the vineyards. The central part is full of wooded
hillsides and small fertile plains. The narrow southern section
is flatter and generally white grape varieties are grown here.
It is
estimated that there are approximately 1,800 hectares of vines
which are mainly dominated by the white Kakotrigis and red
Petrokorithos. Also found on the island are the white
Petrokorithos, white Moschato, red Kakotrigis.
Kakotrigis
grape:
Called this because the tough stems of the grape clusters make
harvesting difficult. Produced all over the island but it grows
particularly well in Lefkimmi and the surrounding area of
Southern Corfu. This variety produces a
lightly flavoured
white wine.
Moschato
grape:
This is successfully in the region of Strinilas on Mount
Pantokrator. It yields a fragrant white wine.
Petrokoritho:
This is generally cultivated in the areas of Sinarades,
Kastellani and Kouramades. It produces a dry red wine.
Corfiots
drink a lot of wine and very often families will produce of
their own which generally has no preservatives or additives.
However, there are larger wine makers present, the most renowned
on the island being the Theotokis family.
In the Ropa
Valley, between Vatos and Giannades is an extensive estate which
was formerly the summer mansion of the Theotokis family. The
Theotokis Estate has been producing wine for at least 150 years
- wine that around 20 years ago was renowned as the among the
best in Greece. Now, under the new management of the
‘Antonopoulos Winery’ (** see below), Theotokis wine is set to
measure up to its proud reputation.
** (The
Antonopoulos Winery is located near Patras in the northern
Peloponnese and produces 450,000 bottles annually. One of the
co-owner is Yiannis Halikias who met the founder, Constantinos
Antonopoulos when the Halikias wine agency began to distribute
wine from small producers. It was through his wine distribution
agency that he came across the Theotoki Estate wine)
At the
Theotokis Estate, the aim now is to work with the local grape
varieties and see what results they get. If they need improving,
they will introduce a foreign variety.
The vines
are undergoing fresh cultivation and Halikias has high hopes -
He believes the grapes are top quality and the results should be
excellent.
The estate
has 1.150.000 sqm of land, 75.000 sqm has been cultivated for the
past 10 to 20 years. A further 15.000 to 20.000 sqm have,
however, been planted with new grapes of the same varieties. At
the same time they are trying to improve pruning and cultivation
methods to give a bigger harvest. The first harvest gave about
20 tonnes of grapes, 14 tonnes of which were white Kakotrigis
and Robola. Total production from this was 10,000 bottles of
white wine, 2000 of rose (a
mix of the Kakotrigis the Petrokorithos grapes)
and 3000
bottles of red. Their methods are already paying off, with
bigger yields from the same vines. In the near future, weather
conditions permitting, they aim to be making between 30 and 35
thousand bottles per year. |
