Aflevering Greek Wine Secrets: Stamatis Mylonas On Savatiano & Attica's Terroir | Sparks By Vinovonk

?? Welcome to Sparks by VinoVonk - where beautiful wine stories come to life In this fascinating episode, host Jeroen Vonk travels (virtually) to Greece to meet Stamatis Mylonas, the third-generation winemaker behind Mylonas Winery in the Attica region. Located just 35 miles south of Athens, this UNESCO-protected terroir holds secrets that date back to ancient times. What makes this conversation extraordinary? Stamatis reveals how the indigenous Savatiano grape - often underrated due to its association with Retsina - can produce world-class white wines that age for 10+ years while maintaining remarkable freshness. This isn't theory - Jeroen tastes a 2016 Gran Reserva that spent 2.5 years in oak and 5 years in bottle, and the results are mind-blowing. ?? EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:Discover why Attica's soils contain 750 of the world's 5,500 known minerals - the same earth that funded the construction of the Parthenon through ancient silver mining. Learn how 55+ year-old bush vines, all hand-harvested, create intensity and complexity that rivals wines three times the price.Stamatis shares his family's journey from bulk wine producers (since 1917) to internationally recognized quality winemakers, earning three wines on the prestigious Great Greek Wines list curated by Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis. ?? KEY INSIGHTS:• Why indigenous Greek varieties are the future of Greek wine (300+ varieties to explore)• How old vines on mineral-rich soils create age-worthy wines• The value proposition of Greek wines in today's market• Building quality partnerships with growers (Stamatis prunes alongside them at 6 AM!)• Strategic use of oak: large casks and old barrels to highlight terroir, not overpower it• Why people are "drinking less but better" - and how Greek wines fit perfectly ?? WINES DISCUSSED:1. Mylonas Savatiano 2021 - Fresh, entry-level from 35-year-old vines2. Mylonas Rosé - Blend of Savatiano, Agiorgitiko, and Limniona3. Mylonas Gran Reserva Savatiano 2016 - Single vineyard, extensively aged This episode is perfect for:? Wine enthusiasts seeking new discoveries? Professionals in the beverage industry? Anyone interested in Mediterranean culture and history? Fans of terroir-driven, authentic winemaking ?? SPECIAL THANKS:Wines for this episode provided by Oenopolis, the leading Dutch importer of Greek wines in the Netherlands. Visit: https://oenopolis.vin/pages/over-mij ?? LEARN MORE:Mylonas Winery: https://www.mylonas-wines.gr/en/Great Greek Wines List: https://greatgreekwines.com/?? SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW:Love Sparks by VinoVonk? Subscribe and leave a review to help others discover great wine stories! Host: Jeroen Vonk - Wine writer, educator, and content creator from Amstelveen, Netherlands Production: Sparks by VinoVonk Next episode coming soon - join us for more beautiful wine stories from around the world!