Alpha Estate Hedgehog Vineyard Xinomavro

Naoussa PDO, Greece

Alpha Estate's flagship single-vineyard Xinomavro from the Hedgehog vineyard in Naoussa PDO — one of Greece's most celebrated wine expressions. Xinomavro ('acid black') is Greece's greatest red grape: naturally high acid, high tannin, and extraordinary aging potential (sometimes compared to Barolo). The Hedgehog vineyard's volcanic foothills produce Xinomavro of exceptional complexity: sour cherry, dried tomato, olive, leather, and iron mineral. Aged 18 months in French oak. Requires 5-8 years to show full complexity.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Alpha Estate Xinomavro's Barolo-like structure — sour cherry, dried tomato, iron tannin — pairs perfectly with lamb. The sour cherry in the preparation echoes the wine's most distinctive fruit marker; oregano amplifies the herbal Mediterranean character; the slow-braise softens the wine's firm tannin structure.
• main: Classic Greek Xinomavro partner: slow lamb and dark herbal wine are inseparable
• main: Layered lamb-eggplant and béchamel find structure and lift in Xinomavro tannins
• main: Lean game and olive bitterness echo Xinomavro's savoury, herb-tinged dark fruit
• main: Smoky char and brine find balance in Xinomavro's acidity and fresh herb note
• cheese: Hard sheep-goat cheese binds tannins and echoes wine's savoury mineral depth
• main: Spiced pork sausage and charred pepper match Xinomavro's smoky, tannic character