Mataroa Amber

Mataroa Amber - Oenogenesis - Drama, Macedonia, Greece - Orange wine - Natural wine - Orange Sauvignon Blanc - Eklektikon

A Greek take on the Sauvignon Blanc variety, from the most Bordeaux-like region of Greece, Drama, by the hands of the experienced and French trained vigneron and oenologist, Bakis Tsalkos. A few days of skin contact and lack of manipulation gives the opportunity for terroir expression comparisons.

  • Grower: Oenogenesis
  • Vintage: 2023
  • Type: Orange Dry Wine
  • Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc 100%
  • Appellation: PGI Drama
  • Alcohol: 13.00%
  • Bottle: 750ml
  • Viticulture: Low Intervention
  • Vinification: 48-hour skin contact is followed by a first mild press, and matures in stainless steel tank for 5 months on its own fine lees with battonage, until bottled with few sulfites.
  • Tasting Notes: Intense citrusy and lemon nose, with a very rich and full mouth and a long honey aftertaste
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Viticulture

  • Low Intervention
  • Climate: Mediterranean climate with mild Winters and dry Summers.
  • Soil: Chalky clay
  • Vine age: Planted between 1992 and 1997
  • Altitude: 220m
  • Slope: Plains
  • Planting density: 4,000 plants / ha
  • Yield: 1.5kg / plant
  • Irrigation: Drip twice in July
  • Spraying: Twice per season due to heavy rains
  • Harvesting: Manually with wine sorting on the vine

Vinification

  • Maceration: 48 hours of skin contact
  • Pressing: Pneumatic press
  • Temperature Control: During fermentation
  • Fermentation: Alcoholic fermentation with indigenous yeast in stainless steel tank for 25 days
  • Malolactic: Naturally completed
  • Maturation: 5 months in stainless steel tank on its own lees with regular stirring
  • Clarification: None
  • Filtration: None
  • Production: 3,170 lt
  • Alcohol: 13.00%
  • Acidity: 5.70 gr/l
  • RS: 0.75 gr/l
  • Total sulfites: 17.00 mg/l
  • Certification: –
  • Bottle: 750ml

Oenogenesis was founded in 2006 and is owned and operated by one of the greatest oenologists of Greece, Bakis Tsalkos.
Bakis was trained and experienced in Montpellier and Bordeaux for most of his life, and returned to Greece in 1985 to adapt his knowledge to the local terroir and grapes. He single-handedly launched the winemaking region of Drama, the youngest of Greece, which dominated the domestic market in the 90’s and early 2000. Drama is known for its elegance and aromatic expression in wines, as well as its optimal terroir for international grapes.
Bakis’ principle is the absence of anything chemical, with as little intervention or spraying in the vineyard, and vinification of the highest standards. Sulfites are kept below organic standards levels. At least 85% of grapes grow in estate owned vineyards.

Drama is situated on the foothills of mountain “Falakro” (literally “bald”, although the locals call it “the mountain of the flowers”). Drama built is in an area full of green and a lot of water. Very beautiful and hospitable, it has many picturesque neighborhoods, large squares, areas with green, and well maintained classic mansions. It is ideal for tourism in the Winter, as well as Fall and Spring excursions out in nature.