WINE CLUB | CHEESE CLUB

This month, we’re journeying over to Greece and Puglia, with some fun history, a little lore, and absolutely delicious wines in tow. Consider it your warm up for summer travel.

Let’s start with a very brief history. The Greeks settled Puglia (aka “Apulia”) in the 8th century BC, who quickly fell smitten with the turquoise coastline and lush landscape. Puglia didn’t officially join Italy until 1861, after multiple wars and intermittent occupation by the Turks and Venetians. It’s typical for Puglian families to still grow olives and grapes on their property, where they make their own olive oil and wine. Pretty dreamy.

Now for the lore. Viticulture in Puglia is said to have come from a broken heart. After the fall of Troy, poor mythical hero Diomedes discovered his wife had been cheating on him. To cope, he sailed aimlessly around the Adriatic and eventually found solace in Puglia. In his haste to leave Greece, Diomedes had decided to bring some grape vines with him on his journey (as one does), so once he got situated in Puglia, he planted them and we get to enjoy Puglian wine all these years later. For a bit of fun non-wine-related trivia: Puglia is also where werewolves first appeared in mythology. Turning into one was seen as the punishment bestowed on male babies who had the audacity to be born on December 24th or 25th, and take away even an ounce of spotlight from the main act.

And last but certainly most important, the wines. Get ready for grapes you’ve likely never heard of, that make wines you won’t want to forget. More on each below.

The Halfseas Team

ALL CLUB MEMBERS GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2021 Mylonas Assyrtiko

Grape: Assyrtiko
Region: Keratea, Greece
Retail: $24
Pronunciation: “ah-SEER-tee-ko”

The Mylonas winery is a story of fathers and sons, starting in 1917. Antonis kicked the winery off by making wines in amphorae, ancient Greek clay containers that were the OG stainless steel tanks. He then passed the winery down to his son, Dimitris, who expanded their growing prowess while his three little sons Antonis, Tasos, and Stamatis ran around the vineyard. Those sons are now adults, and stepped in to run the family business after their father passed away in 2000. It’s a labor of love, and you can taste that in this stunning bottle.

Drinking & pairing ideas: It’s that time of year. Drink a cold glass with a big bowl of clams and mussels in a buttery, herby, garlicky broth that you soak up with a hunk of bread.

2021 Lyrarakis Liatiko

Grape: Liatiko
Region: Crete, Greece
Retail: $22
Pronunciation: “lee-AH-tee-ko”

The Lyrarakis family gets nerdy quick, in the best way. Their mission is to uncover rare native grapes and then help those grapes live their best wine lives. The family is credited for reviving some almost-extinct varieties, and it’s really all-hands-on-deck in their beautiful vineyard.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This red is perfect for casual al fresco happy hour snacks that turn into dinner. We’re thinking chicken liver mousse or paté with all the crispy, crunchy, sweet, sour, spicy, vinegary toppings your heart can dream up.

2017 Cantele Salice Salentino Riserva Negroamaro

Grape: Negroamaro
Region: Puglia, Italy
Retail: $17
Pronunciation: “SAH-lee-chay sah-len-TEE-no”

The Cantele family ended up in Puglia after WWII and decided to make their mark in wine. And oh, have they ever. Negroamaro (meaning “black bitter” in Italian, but don’t worry — this grape is all about balance) in general, and Salice Salentino specifically, are quality gems. The lack of recognition against some of the other big Italian names usually means great value for your money, and this bottle is no exception.

Drinking & pairing ideas: Pizza. Whether you get ambitious and make it at home for a fun pizza night, or order your favorite takeout for pizza-and-movie night. And feel free to get a little creative with your toppings — this bottle will hold down the fort.

6-BOTTLE MEMBERS ALSO GET TO ENJOY THESE 3 BOTTLES:

2020 Contrade Chardonnay

Grape: Chardonnay
Region: Puglia, Italy
Retail: $14
Pronunciation: “kohn-TRA-day”

This one’s a team effort. The Falvo family partners with a small group of local grape growers to get the best fruit possible. Most of the wine they produce is red, so we were excited to snag enough bottles for you to get to taste this. The original owner, Marquis Antonio de Viti de Marco, was a true renaissance man. He was deputy of the Kingdom of Italy, a beloved university professor, an excellent winemaker, and somehow, also a good businessman. The farm sits on an ancient Messapic site with a sunny view of Salento.

Drinking & pairing ideas: This would be so fun with some fresh, veggie and seafood forward Southeast Asian dishes. Think spring rolls dredged in peanut sauce, grilled whole fish with pickled peppers, or sweet and spicy soup.

2019 Jordanov Rkaciteli

Grape: Rkatciteli
Region: Macedonia, Greece
Retail: $18
Pronunciation: “reh-KATZ-ih-TEH-lee” (it’s Macedonian, we’re all just trying our best)

Rkatciteli is a very old grape. The first records of Macedonian wine are from the 13th century BC, and we’re fascinated by the innovative ways they kept wine delicious. They’d mix in honey to help with preservation, then store the wine in the ground (natural refrigeration) in amphorae (the ancient clay vats we mentioned above), topped off with a little olive oil (yes, seriously) to banish pesky oxygen. The Macedonians are now up to the times with technology, but still focus on showcasing the beautiful, native grapes.

Drinking & pairing ideas: If we could conjure up some ice cold crab with lots of lemon and an endless side of shrimp cocktail right now, we’d drop everything to pour this bottle in the sunshine. Even without conjuring powers, you won’t be disappointed to make this meal a reality. Top it off with a stone fruit cake, and…sorry for all the drool.

2020 Manousakis Winery Crete Mrs.

Grapes: Romeiko, Syrah
Region: Crete, Greece
Retail: $23
Pronunciation: “roh-MAY-ko” (roll that ‘r’ if you’re feeling it)

Alexandra Manousakis grew up in New York City, and when she was 23 years old, decided to leave everything behind and go to Crete, where her father was born and where his tiny winery was in need of extra hands. She fell in love with the island and all of its jaw-dropping sights, and the culture of winemaking, and has been there ever since. This bottle has some of its own drinking suggestions printed on the back, so take it with a grain of salt, a cheeky eye roll, or a chuckle. Just make sure to have your glass ready.

Drinking & pairing ideas: A BBQ platter the size of Texas, loaded up with all the smoky, meaty, saucy trimmings.

Looking for past lineups? We got you.

REMINDERS

• As always, our food suggestions are just starting points. Wine is nostalgic and we’re big fans of making what you like, drinking what you like, and not giving a damn if they “go” together.

• Email us at info@halfseaswine.com to buy more single bottles or a 12-bottle case with special pricing.

• Come see us at Halfseas, your charming little neighborhood wine shop tucked inside Brimmer & Heeltap. Open Wednesday through Sunday 12 - 9pm.

• Wine pairs best with friends. Tell your friends.