🍷Wine of the Week - Acra Winery Malbec Rosè 2023 | Rosè, Rewritten
Acra Winery is one of the most exciting new projects to emerge from Nemea, a region historically defined by Agiorgitiko but increasingly open to experimentation. Founded in 2021 by Spyros Papandreou—Head Winemaker at Hatzidakis Estate in Santorini—together with Dimitris Papandreou, the winery represents a thoughtful blend of technical precision and modern Greek wine ambition.
Beyond Agiorgitiko—the flagship variety of the region—they also work with Assyrtiko, Kydonitsa and the international variety Malbec, here expressed as a rosé. Their Malbec Rosé is a compelling example of this philosophy: a wine that respects varietal character while expressing the nuances of its terroir.
Produced using gentle, direct pressing and fermented under controlled temperatures, part of the wine matures in French oak barrels, followed by eight months on fine lees. This careful approach results in a rosé that goes far beyond the expected.
In the glass, it shows a salmon color with subtle brick hues, hinting at its complexity. Aromatically, it moves between ripe peach and grapefruit, layered with delicate lactic notes and a light buttery texture. On the palate, a touch of black pepper and vibrant acidity provide tension, leading to a long, structured finish.
This is not a casual, pool rosé. Instead, it is a gastronomic wine—one that invites pairing, experimentation, and a reconsideration of what rosé can be. And it challenges another common assumption: while most rosés are made for immediate consumption, wines like this demonstrate that certain rosés can evolve beautifully with time, gaining texture and complexity.
Food Pairing: Pairs beautifully with tuna tataki with sesame crust, roast chicken with herbs and garlic, eggplant dishes with tomato and herbs, or lightly spiced Indian curries 🍽️ For those willing to step outside the conventional, Acra Malbec Rosé 2022 offers both depth and surprise.