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Popolka Kokkineli

Popolka Kokkineli - Xinomavro - Light red - organic wine - Vaimaki Family - Greek natural wine - Eklektikon

The elderly around Amyndeo still call it “Popolka”, the actual name of Xinomavro before the 70’s. A natural, zero-zero light red Xinomavro (traditionally called “Kokkineli”), from its birthplace in the lake terroir of Amyndeo, from the master of the kind, Vasilis Vaimakis.

  • Grower: Vaimaki Family
  • Vintage: 2021
  • Grapes: Xinomavro 100%
  • Appellation: Varietal
  • Alcohol: 12.50%
  • Bottle: 750ml
  • Viticulture: Organic (non-certified)
  • Vinification: A natural and organic Xinomavro with only 2-day maceration, with a 6-month elevation in old oak, and zero added sulfites or other additives.
  • Notes: A light red Xinomavro, as the moniker “kokkineli” suggests, with a fresher but very intense expression of the variety, leaning more towards strawberry aromas and a less tannic but multi-layered palate.
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Key Info

Viticulture

  • Organic (non-certified)
  • Climate: Not heavy winter, mild summer due to the existence of four lakes in the region
  • Soil: Calcareous, sandy, excellent drainage
  • Vine age: Planted in 1991
  • Altitude: 650m
  • Slope: 5% (southeast facing)
  • Planting density: 7,000 shoots / ha
  • Yield: 1.5 kg / plant
  • Irrigation: Drip irrigation in drought conditions
  • Spraying: Downy mildew and oidium organic control in the Spring
  • Harvesting: Manually in 25kg crates

Vinification

  • Maceration: 2 days
  • Pressing: None
  • Temperature Control: 17-20℃ during fermentation
  • Fermentation: Wild fermentation with native yeast, with temperature control at 25 Celsius, in stainless steel tank for 1 month
  • Malolactic: Spontaneous malolactic fermentation
  • Maturation: 6 months in oaken barrel
  • Clarification: None (spontaneous clarification)
  • Filtration: None
  • Production: 5,000 lt
  • Alcohol: 12.50%
  • Acidity: 7.00 gr/l
  • RS: 1.00 gr/l
  • Total sulfites: 0.00 mg/l
  • Certification: No Sulfites Added
  • Bottle: 750ml

Winery

“Vaimaki Family” is the urban winemaking project of oenologist Vasilis Vaimakis. An oenologist with vast winemaking experience, Vaimakis is also one of the first oenologists of Greece who explored the limits of natural vinification of Greek grapes with zero sulfites. Although Eklektikon’s portfolio is centered around growers, Vaimaki Family is the only exception to the rule, in order to represent the first Greek vintages of no-added-sulfite wines, under the iconic and ever-changing label “Mater Natura”.

The Vaimakis family started working with wine production in the late 19th century. Vasilis Vaimakis wanted to revive the family winemaking tradition back in the 70’s, as a young oenologist, and started working for the Co-Op of Zitsa and Amyndeo, where he led both to unexpected commercial success. In the 90’s, having gained immense experience, he completed his PhD with a focus on the oxidation of white wines and ways to address that. He started experimenting with zero-sulfite wines in order to communicate the terroir of promising Greek grapes, and launched the Mater Natura line in 2009. Mater Natura is a series of unique numbers, reflecting unique vinifications that never repeat themselves.

Region

Amyndeo (or “Amyntaio”) constitutes one of the most alpine climates of Greece, surrounded by lakes and at an altitude of over 600m. This makes it ideal for the production of sparkling wines from the humidity loving Xinomavro grape, and makes Amyndeo the only PDO (premier tier appellation) region for sparkling wines. The general region of Florina, where Amyndeo belongs to, is a mountainous area reaching altitudes of up to 2,524m (Voras mountain).

Nearby Nymfeo village, at an altitude of 1,346m, is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Greece. Although it faced gradual depopulation up until the 90s, it is now a popular Winter destination.

The adjacent village of Xino Nero is famous for its naturally sparkling and healing spring water.