TisF is road tripping through the Wine Roads of Northern Greece.

About a year ago, the Fabulous Gary Vaynerchuk, Host and Director of Operations of Wine Library TV appeared on the television show “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch” on MSNBC.  During that show, Gary mentioned that Greek wines would some day mean something. Gary peaked our intrest so we took to the Wine Roads of Northern Greece (http://www.wineroads.gr/eng/index.php) to bring you more on Oenology.

We set out on the Wine Route of Pella – Goumenissa.  Goumenissa (http://www.goumenissa.eu/) is a small traditional town that sits on the southeastern part of the Paiko mountain range and was an important commercial center due to the viniculture (also known as viticulture, the study of grapes) and the sericulture (silk farming). Goumenissa is known for its fine, dry, red wines, which have been exported since the 19th century.  Goumenissa is one of the A.O.C. greek zones producing dry, red wines from the red grape varieties Xynomavro and Negoska. There is also a white grape variety cultivated in the Goumenissa region called Roditis.

Fabulous things to do in Goumenissa…

There are five wineries in Goumenissa that offer wine tasting all year around. An interesting suggestion is to visit the area on Saint Trifonas` Day (February 1st) to celebrate the memory of the patron saint of viniculture. 



Five Fabulous Wineries to visit:

• Aidarinis Winery
• Tatsis Winery
• Ligas Winery
• Boutari - Goumenissa Winery
• Hatzivaritis Winery

Get your dancing shoes on because Goumenissa is also known for the famous Goumenissa Brass Bands (http://www.xalkina-goumenissas.gr/). Clarinets, trumpets and trombones are some of the instruments that make up this unique timbre.  On any given day you can hear the musicians practicing or playing special events.

If hiking is your thing then you must visit Mount Paiko.  The beautiful views from this mountain are breath taking. Mount Paiko is easily accessible through the mountaineering club of Goumenissa (called O.S.PE.G). During their free time the locals hike through the pathways along the streams and brooks under Chestnut and Oak trees.

Goumenissa has the most amazing Plateia (town square).  You can sit there for hours sipping ouzo and eating meze while listening to the waterfall of the French Fountain. The natural water in Goumenissa is delicious and legend has it if you drink it you will get married there!

Once you are ready to call it a night, you can relax at the Fabulous Dimosthenis Hotel (http://www.dimoshotel.com). Make sure you ask for Maria!

Goumenissa is located 69km northwest of Thessaloniki and is a must see because it is a truly Fabulous place!

For more information about Gary Vaynerchuk please visit:
http://garyvaynerchuk.com/
http://tv.winelibrary.com/

Photography by Maria Mouzouri, Fotis Mitsis, Katerina Bardjokas & Constance K.

Tags: Goumenissa, Greece, Dimosthenis Hotel, Travel, Wine