According to mythology, the town was founded by Náfplios, the son of god Poseidon and the daughter of Danaus (Danaida) Anymone. The town’s history traces back to the prehistoric era when soldiers from here participated in the Argonautic expedition and the Trojan War alike. The town declined during the Roman times and flourished again during the Byzantine times. Frankish, Venetian and Turkish conquerors left their mark in the town and strongly influenced its culture, architecture and traditions during the centuries. Ancient walls, medieval castles, monuments and statues, Ottoman fountains and Venetian or neoclassical building abound. This part of the world is one jumbo antiquity find!
Nafplio was the first capital of Greece after Independence (between 1833 and 1834) and has been a major port since the Bronze Age. So strategic was its position that it had three fortresses: the massive principal fortress of Palamidi, the smaller Akronafplia and the diminutive Bourtzi on an islet west of the old town. It was 106 degrees today and I am talking Fahrenheit! Stepping off the boat felt like stepping into a sauna....jump on that tour bus for a cool ride to a Greek vineyard. "Can't wait to taste some of that Retsina", groaned Bubs.
I ask our guide what is going on with the Date Palms? Our last island had the same problem? She told us that when they had the Olympics here in 2004 they imported many of these types of palms from Africa and with them came a bug....which has been wiping out the palms throughout the country.
Must be an old postcard..
Greek wine and wine making is as ancient as the marble columns that line the Parthenon. Archaeologists have uncovered winemaking artifacts from Greece that date as far back as 1600 BC, as the area played an enormous role in wine trade. We can even credit the Greeks with establishing an appellation system to ensure quality and place of origin. Bird's eye view of the winery we are visiting today.
The first reference to the wine traditions of the Peloponnesus (that is the section of Greece we are visiting now) came from Homer who referred to it as Ampeloessa or “full of vines.” Neither wars nor the blight of Phylloxera were able to stop the production of wine in this historic wine region since ancient times. Spread throughout the hillsides, plains and plateaus, the vineyards of the Peloponnesus are known for their complexity and diversity. And today we are in the Nemea area. According to archaeological excavations, wine was first produced in Nemea almost 3500 years ago. Nemea is one of the largest winemaking regions of Greece and produces some of its best wines. The prominent grape here is Ayoryitiko, one of the most noble of the Greek red grapes, which got its name from the town of Nemea originally called “Agios Georgios” or St. George. Ayoryitiko produces wines that stand out for their deep red color and remarkable aromatic complexity. Ayoryitiko’s soft tannins, combine with its balanced acidity can produce many different styles of wine, ranging from fresh aromatic reds to full-bodied, age-worthy reds. It also produces very pleasant aromatic rosé wines.
Per Forbes: We list one of Greece’s state-of-the-art wineries, that of Domaine Skouras. George Skouras, a Dijon trained winemaker, is a passionate ambassador for Greek wine. Skouras was the first to blend Ayoryitiko with the international variety, Cabernet Sauvignon. This stunning wine, which he calls Megas Oenos, has become his flagship and now many others in the region are also using a similar blend. His Grand Cuvee, made of 100% Ayoryitiko is produced from grapes grown in his vineyards at 900m and is rich and full bodied. He is also known for his whites, which include the Greek variety, Moscofilero as well as excellent examples of Chardonnay and Viognier. All Bubs can think is Retsina.
Yes, today’s Greek winemakers, with a nod to antiquity, are working to bring Greek wine back into vogue. Updated winemaking technology blended with the nation’s 300 indigenous grape varieties (some of them ancient) has done much to elevate the modern-day perception of Greek viticulture. Bubba, pay attention please. The Greek climate is also a winning combination: ample sun, minimal rainfall and abundant poor soil set the stage for some serious grape growing. Greek wine does appear to have it all---history, climate and uniqueness. It has one more thing: pronunciation issues. Grape varieties such as Assyrtiko and Agiorgitiko tend to give American consumers speech paralysis. Most of us would rather order something lame and familiar than dive off the wine pronunciation cliff....hello Bubs.
We had an excellent and enthusiastic tour guide-Yani. Not sure about the symbolism in the picture behind him?
Yes, they make more than Retsina Bubba. There must be a reason you are wearing your hat indoors?
Are these legit? thought Bubs.
Let's take a look at the process...
A VERY MODERN ASSEMBLY LINE-SO STATE OF THE ART.
WE EVEN HAD AN OPERTUNITY TO SEE A PILE UP- JUST LIKE LUCY AND ETHEL DID AT THE CANDY FACTORY!
This is one of the cleanest and most tidy winerys Boca has toured and you know she has been to many or as Bubba would say TOO MANY.ENOUGH OF THAT WATCHING HOW THEY DO IT, LET'S HAVE A TASTE.
COME ON BOCA, THIS IS RIGHT UP YOUR ALLEY.
OH WOW- I think we need a basement in Naples.
Pleep pretty much felt the same...
106 degrees out there today and Bubs is one happy man being in this very cool cellar.
Pleep knows his Mom is getting a BID to add a bar to the patio at the Casa duh Bubba - he suggested this one would do just fine. Excellent point Pleepmeister and such fine taste.
Jani, said Pleep is welcome to help him pour anytime!
The tour was interesting as well as the much appreciated coolness, time for lunch.
And a few more pours...
Let's top that off Mrs. Boca.
A little sweet but refreshing...
I see that you like it!
Now you're talking Yani.
Since you're not driving....you will sleep like a baby for the bus ride back to the boat! Opa!
Boca's personal fav- St. George! Do they sell icons here?
And what a view while lunching.
Bubs shares his dream of owning a farm again...get rid of the stick and hernia first dear Bubs.
Mr. Skouras has much to be proud of- his wines were SO NOT RETSINA. Bubs said he will have to help at our church Greek Fest in the Taverna next year and convince them there are actually some really nice Greek wines out there! NOT RETSINA!
Oh I get it, the Farmer Hat- perfect for picking grapes.
WARRIOR GAMES UPDATE:
Jiayi and Kathy ran into one of Boca and Buba's FABULOUS Warrior families- The Nicholsons....
Loving that precious baby boy! His Dad is competing in the Games. We met them at the Invictus games as well.
A picture from the Invictus Games last year with retired Marine Sgt. Michael Nicholson, who lost both legs and his left arm to an IED while on foot patrol in Afghanistan in 2011-and this HERO continues to be an inspiration to both Bubba and Boca. Good luck in the Games Mike!RANDOM THOUGHTS:
BUBS, ISN'T THAT THE ARAMIS PAPOO USED TO WEAR?
YUP, ONE IN THE SAME- ONE BOTTLE HE DIDN'T FINISH, UNLIKE HIS JACK DANIELS.
WHAT? HE DIED IN 1999?
YUP
THINK IT'S TIME FOR A NEW SMELL BUBS.
MET THIS LADY TODAY....WHY OH WHY DO SO MANY BRITISH FOLKS INSIST ON NOT GETTING THEIR CHOPPERS FIXED?
BOCA LEARNED YOU ONLY NEED AN INCH OF WATER TO KEEP YOUR TULIPS STIFF.
AND PLEEP GOT INTO DUSHAN'S GIFT OF SERBIAN JUICE...HEY, WAIT A MINUTE...SMELLS MUCH LIKE HOMEMADE SERBIAN BRANDY. YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH TODAY PLEEP. YOU NEED A NAP LIKE YOUR DAD.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE PREDICTED 111 DEGREE HEAT IN ATHENS TOMORROW. OY!!
