Elixir rose Sabanis

Variety: Limniona 100%

Wine category: P.G.I. of Central Greece (Protected Geografical Indication)

Region: Elixir is made using hand-picked and night-harvested grapes of the Limniona Variety collected from semi mountainous vineyards in the area of St Ioannis, Avlida.

Harvest: End of August

Vinification: Brief cold maceration. Vinification in stainless steel tanks by inhibition of malolactic fermentation.

Characteristics: Pale salmon color. Very expressive aromas of red fruit in the nose and wild strawberry, flowers, butter caramel and Mediterranean herbs.

Not to be confused with Lemnio, Lemniona (Limniona) is the rising star of the Greek red varieties and will be a driving force for the development of numerous top wines around Greece in the years to come. The quality potential of this red variety, used to make dry red wines, was identified when only few vines were left. Several years of research and microvinifications, bringing together numerous scientists, growers and producers, started yielding some impressive results.

Lemniona(Limniona) wine has an extremely deep and vivid purple red colour. On the nose it is rich, very expressive, with red fruit, herbs, minerality and cooking spices. The palate has a great line, with a firm, textured but never aggressive tannin frame. Alcohol can be relatively high, although rarely above 13.5%, but it is always very balanced by the bright acidity. Lemniona (Limniona) is thought to be originating from Thessalia (Thessaly) and specifically from the areas of Karditsa and Tyrnavos. Today, because of its high profile, it is cultivated in a number of areas almost all around Greece.

Lemniona (Limniona) is one of these rare red varieties that manage to pack extract, concentration, acidity and flavour, without leaning towards fatness and volume.