Wine: Natural Red dry.
Varietal composition: Fokiano 80%, Kountoura 20%.
Vineyard: Ikaria , Raches , Profitis Ilias 1,5ha, age of grapevines 50 and 10 years old, yield 25 hl/ha, organic cultivation, altitude 600 m. Sandy clay soil from decomposed granite rock with low pH and high concentration in minerals and micronutrients.
Vinification: Pressed traditionaly in the stone press, maceration throughout all the fermentation for 34 days. Wild indigenous yeast fermentation; no mechanical intervention and filtering; bottled unfiltered & unfined; zero addition of sulfites.
Aging: Best consumed now.
Production: 2800 bottles
NICARIA DRY RED 2002 from Ikaria
This wine expresses a deeply mature and collectible side of Afianes Wines. It comes from the Profitis Ilias area in Raches, at around 600 meters altitude. There, mountain freshness, sea breeze and granite-based soils shape a red wine with depth, structure and a distinctive aged personality.
Fokiano and Kountoura in a mature expression
Fokiano gives this wine body, fruit, structure and warmth. Kountoura adds another layer of complexity, aromatic evolution and tasting depth. Therefore, NICARIA DRY RED 2002 is not a simple aged red wine. It is a mature wine experience with history, texture and authenticity.
Traditional 34-day maceration
Afianes Wines vinifies this vintage with traditional pressing in a stone press. The wine macerates throughout the entire fermentation for 34 days, which gives color, structure and concentration. At the same time, wild indigenous yeasts keep the wine closely connected to the vineyard and the terroir of Ikaria.
Natural character and minimal intervention
The winemaking process uses no mechanical intervention and no filtration. In addition, the wine is bottled unfiltered, unfined and without added sulfites. Because of this approach, the wine keeps a more authentic texture, natural intensity and vivid character. This method reflects the Afianes Wines philosophy of small-production natural wines.
Taste profile of NICARIA DRY RED 2002
In the glass, this wine shows a dark red color with orange highlights and thick, long-lasting legs. On the nose, it opens with complex earthy and autumn-like aromas, together with traces of carob honey. On the palate, it feels multi-layered, mature and intense, with tannery, blood, wet soil, pepper and plum jam.
Food pairing ideas
You can pair this wine with rare or medium-rare red meats, giouvetsi with goat meat, stewed rooster with pasta, stewed rabbit and pork gyulbasi. It also works beautifully with matured cold cuts and spicy cheese platters. Because of its earthy aged complexity, it suits special dinners, collector tastings and memorable wine moments.
Serving recommendation
Serve NICARIA DRY RED 2002 at room temperature, directly from the bottle, after giving it about one hour of ventilation. Since this is an aged vintage, time in the glass helps the wine reveal its earthy aromas, structure and long finish more clearly.
A rare aged vintage from Afianes Wines
Finally, NICARIA DRY RED 2002 is a rare aged bottle for collectors, natural wine lovers and people who seek red wines with history. To explore more wines from the same category, visit the Red Wines collection. For winery moments, rare releases and stories from Ikaria, follow Afianes Wines on Instagram.
