Wine: NATURAL, DRY RED AMPHORA WINE.
Varietal composition: Fokiano 100%.
Protected Geographical Indication (P.G.I.): Ikaria.
Vineyard: Ikaria , Raches , Profitis Ilias 1,5ha, age of grapevines 50 and 10 years old, yield 25 hl/ha, organic/biodynamic cultivation, altitude 600 m. Sandy clay soil from decomposed granite rock with low pH and high concentration in minerals and micronutrients.
Vinification: Manual harvest, stomped in the traditional cyclopean stone press and maceration inside there for 2 days, then it continues
the fermentation without additing yeast and the aging process without skins in amphorae buried underground and outdoors for
10 months. It was bottled unfiltered, unfined, without added sulphites.
Aging: up to 15 years.
Production: 1100 bottles
Pithari dry light red 2023 from Ikaria
Pithari dry light red 2023 by Afianes Wines is a natural dry red wine from Ikaria, made from 100% Fokiano, the island’s historic red grape variety. It combines freshness, structure and the earthy character of clay amphora winemaking. As a result, this wine offers a lighter and more vibrant expression of Fokiano, while still keeping depth, tension and a strong sense of place.
Made from 100% Fokiano
Fokiano gives this wine its red fruit character, firm structure and long, distinctive tannins. Moreover, the variety brings natural intensity without making the wine heavy. Therefore, Pithari dry light red 2023 works beautifully for people who enjoy red wines with freshness, energy and gastronomic balance. It is not a simple light red; instead, it is a natural wine with personality, texture and ageing potential.
Vineyard and terroir
The grapes come from Ikaria, from the Prophet Elias vineyard area at around 600 meters altitude. This mountain environment gives the wine freshness, acidity and aromatic lift. In addition, the Ikarian landscape adds a wild Mediterranean character that connects the wine directly with the island. The result is a red wine that feels both rustic and elegant.
Natural vinification in clay pitharia
Afianes Wines creates this wine with a traditional and minimal-intervention approach. First, the grapes are pressed in the traditional “petalo”. Then, the wine stays with the skins for two days before continuing fermentation without added yeasts. After that, it matures for ten months in clay pitharia buried in the ground outside the winery. Finally, the wine is bottled unfiltered, unfined and without added sulphites.
Taste profile and character
In the glass, Pithari dry light red 2023 shows a juicy and expressive character. It offers floral aromas, with violet as the dominant note, together with red fruit and herbal hints. On the palate, it feels medium-bodied, bright and complex. At the same time, its acidity keeps the wine fresh, while the long-grained tannins support the structure and balance.
Food pairing ideas
You can enjoy this wine with many different dishes. For example, it pairs beautifully with fatty cheeses, grilled shrimp, raw fatty fish and meats cooked rare to à point. Also, its freshness makes it suitable for Mediterranean dishes with herbs, tomato-based recipes and grilled vegetables. Because of its light extraction and structure, it can move easily between seafood and meat.
Serving and ageing
Serve Pithari dry light red 2023 between 14°C and 18°C, depending on the season, the food and your mood. If you want more freshness, serve it slightly chilled. However, if you want more aromatic depth, let it open a little in the glass. You can enjoy it now, but you can also cellar it, as it has ageing potential for up to 15 years.
Discover more red wines from Afianes
Finally, Pithari dry light red 2023 belongs to the wider red wine world of Afianes Wines, where Fokiano, natural vinification and the terroir of Ikaria shape every bottle. To explore more wines from the same category, visit the Red Wines collection. For winery moments, pairings and stories from Ikaria, follow Afianes Wines on Instagram.
