This gorgeous Chardonnay is from Arcadia in the Peloponnese region of Greece which we visited in June 2010. Owner/winemaker Yiannis Tselepos was born in Cyprus but has been in Arcadia since 1981 for every harvest. He studied at the University of Dijon prior to that and made wine in Burgundy for two years as a ‘consulting winemaker’ for dozens of small family vineyards. Tselepos has also been one of the pioneers who helped establish and bring to prominence the Moschofilero grape and thus his name is closely associated with the Greek Wine Renaissance. Together with his wife Amalia, Yiannis Tselepos established Domaine Tselepos in 1989. Also, Yiannis built a modern winery which includes a professional air circulation unit which is built into the walls so they work at the perfect humidity for barrel aging, but not too much humidity. We saw the same method used at Tenuta San Guido, the Tuscan estate that produces Sassicaia, where too much heat and humidity can cause problems during aging.
'Marmarias' Chardonnay is made from ancient marble soils which are perfect for this variety. Lemon oil in the nose with nectarine, tangerine and Meyer lemon lead to a clean, luscious, lightly creamy palate with lots of length and character. The final blend underwent 20% malolactic fermentation and 6 months in barrel which made for a beautifully balanced wine. Tselepos' experience making Chardonnay in Burgundy certainly shines through in this offering. He also won a Gold medal at the Chardonnay du Monde Competition 2010 in Burgundy and was chosen as the #1 ‘International Chardonnay’.

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