03 Akakies, Amyndeon Kir-Yianni

A rose served best at room temperature (at last!), this northern-Greek Xinomavro-based wine is the beginning of spring. Sadly, I'm stuck in a Midwestern winter, but with this wine and the right food (see Comments or any restaurant in Turkey), we could rightfully be on the Aegean Sea with our toes in the sand. Though I would've never known it was from Greece, this is a wine that makes me want to visit its terroir. When cold, it has an astringent aroma of raw acid. Once at palm-cooling temperature, however, it is lean, floral, and as pretty as a woman's eyelashes. Its green strawberry and pomegranate flavors get even more lovely with food, while never being too fruity. The dry, acid structure drives this wine--drives it straight to my blushing heart.