2025 Alpha Estate "Turtles Vineyard" Malagouzia Florina Greece

The Alpha Estate 2025 Malagouzia Turtles Single Vineyard is delicately floral and bright, with notes of stone fruit, honeydew melon and exotic white flowers that vaguely recall jasmine and plumeria. This unoaked wine is firm and fresh, with a mineral edge that adds zest, energy and a glossy texture. The Turtles vineyard benefits from sandy clay soils over limestone and cool mountain influences that help preserve aromatic lift and freshness. Aged on the fine lees for two months with regular stirring, the wine maintains varietal purity while gaining subtle texture. Produced in 300,000 bottles, this is a charming and accessible expression of Malagouzia, a Greek grape that enjoys enormous popularity at local tavernas, where baked feta and grilled vegetables emerge from the kitchen in the hands of frenzied waiters balancing trays overhead. (ML)

For many people discovering the wines of Greece, Assyrtiko has been the gateway grape. But beyond its crisp, mineral-driven style lies a wealth of fascinating indigenous varieties waiting to be explored. One of my personal favorites has always been Malagouzia. A little softer and more floral than Assyrtiko, Malagouzia is wonderfully inviting and generous without sacrificing freshness. Alpha Estate's latest bottling captures everything I love about the variety: fresh pear and lemon verbena layered with delicate notes of lily blossom and a hint of jasmine tea on the finish. It is expressive without being overtly aromatic, balancing richness with remarkable lift. This is one of Greece's most versatile white wines at the table. It's a natural alongside a spread of mezze, but I also love it with grilled shrimp skewers or a bubbling plate of saganaki. If you're ready to venture beyond Assyrtiko, this is one of the most rewarding places to start.