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ANTONIS PAPANTONIS<br />
1937 and originally had 70 members. In 1959, in collaboration with the Wine Institute, it<br />
carried out the first experimental bottling of Agiorgitiko. Today, after 86 years of operation<br />
and in modern facilities, it has more than 400 members and the capacity to ferment<br />
10,000 tons of grapes annually, making it one of the largest producers nationwide.<br />
Our last stop in Nemea is the small modern Papantonis Winery in the town of Argos,<br />
on the road to the Ancient Theatre. Charming and neat, it reflects the care that Antonis<br />
Papantonis lavishes on his wines, which are produced from privately owned vineyards in<br />
Maladreni. The vineyards extend over slopes with an average altitude of 320 meters, and<br />
clay-sandy soils with drainage properties that allow the grapes to ripen slowly. In 1979,<br />
Antonis Papantonis bought these vineyards, feeling that nature, vine growing and wine<br />
production could fulfil him more than life in the big city. Today, he continues to take<br />
the same attitude to life and creation, focusing his activity on only two Greek varieties<br />
(Agiorgitiko, Roditis) and one international cultivar (Chardonnay) and staying true to the<br />
meaning of the names of his labels: red Miden Agan, a P.D.O Nemea meaning ‘nothing<br />
in excess’, and white Metron Ariston, meaning that avoiding extremes and excesses is<br />
the best attitude. We tasted them, served with traditional local delicacies, as the winery<br />
welcomes visitors every day.<br />
MESSINIA, THE FAVOURABLE INFLUENCE OF THE IONIAN SEA<br />
Our journey to the wine-focused Peloponnese continues on the West coast, in Messinia.<br />
Here, the vineyards are located on highlands, exposed to the favourable influence of<br />
the Ionian Sea, on calcareous soils, with smaller water reserves. The most remarkable<br />
WINTER 2023 • GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE<br />
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