Skouras Saint George

Skouras Saint George is a dry red wine from Nemea, Greece, made entirely from Agiorgitiko grapes at 13.5% ABV in a standard 750ml bottle. Scoring 92 points from James Suckling for the 2020 vintage and earning Mundus Vini Gold medals for the 2021 and 2022 vintages, this bottling has established itself as one of the most reliable introductions to Greece's signature red grape.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.5%  |  Origin: Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece  |  100% Agiorgitiko  |  Winery: Domaine Skouras

Production & Heritage

Domaine Skouras is based in Argolida in the northeastern Peloponnese and sources Agiorgitiko fruit from selected vineyards across five villages within the Nemea appellation, where vines sit at an average altitude of roughly 1,640 feet. That elevation contributes clarity and intensity of fruit, which the winery preserves through fermentation in stainless steel before transferring the wine to neutral French barriques for maturation. An additional period of bottle aging before release allows the tannins to knit together, producing what critics have called a clean but substantial expression of Agiorgitiko.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe black cherry and plum, layered with blackberry and raspberry. Behind the fruit sit warm spice notes — clove, cinnamon, and dried thyme — along with subtle touches of tobacco and hazelnut.

Taste: The palate enters bright and fruit-driven, with juicy cherry and plum at the forefront. Mid-palate, flavors of chocolate, sweet spice, and a faint smokiness emerge, carried by smooth, ripe tannins. A thread of minerality keeps the wine focused and balanced despite its generous fruitiness.

Finish: Moderately long, with sour cherry, black pepper, and a hint of vanilla lingering at the close. The tannin structure resolves cleanly, leaving a savory, slightly herbal impression.

How to Drink Saint George

Serve at cool room temperature, around 60–64°F, in a large-bowled glass that lets the aromatics open up. This is a wine that rewards both casual weeknight pours and more deliberate tasting. A Sangria Roja benefits from its dark-fruit intensity and spice backbone. A Kalimotxo — the Spanish red wine and cola drink — plays well with the wine's cherry sweetness and moderate tannins. For a contemporary twist, use it in a Red Wine Spritz with sparkling water and a citrus peel, where its bright acidity and fruit profile keep the drink lively.

Best For

• Introducing a wine-curious friend to Greek reds beyond the usual suspects
• Pairing with a Mediterranean-themed dinner party centered on grilled lamb or roasted vegetables
• Stocking a diverse cellar section devoted to indigenous European grape varieties
• Gifting someone who appreciates discovering under-the-radar wine regions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Saint George taste like? Skouras Saint George leads with vibrant black cherry and plum fruit, backed by warm baking spices like clove and cinnamon, smooth tannins, and a mineral-driven finish. It balances richness with freshness in a way that makes it both approachable and layered.

How does Saint George compare to Gaia Agiorgitiko? Both wines represent the approachable, fruit-forward style of Nemea Agiorgitiko, and critics have compared Gaia's bottling to a young Chianti Classico. Skouras Saint George tends toward slightly more pronounced spice and chocolate notes from its barrel maturation in neutral French oak, while Gaia often emphasizes brighter primary fruit.

Is Saint George good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its ripe tannins, generous fruit, and moderate alcohol make it an easy-drinking red that doesn't require food to be enjoyable, though it certainly rewards pairing.

Where is Saint George made? It is produced by Domaine Skouras, based in Argolida in the northeastern Peloponnese of Greece, using grapes sourced from high-altitude vineyards across five villages within the Nemea appellation.

What foods pair well with Saint George? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's spice and dark fruit. Moussaka or pastitsio match its weight and herbal character. Hard aged cheeses like Kefalotyri echo its savory finish. Roasted eggplant with tomato highlights the wine's Mediterranean aromatics. Dark chocolate desserts amplify the cocoa and cherry notes on the palate.

What sizes does Saint George come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is Saint George worth the price? Skouras Saint George positions as an accessible, mid-range Greek red that consistently punches above its weight in critical scoring — 92 points from James Suckling and Mundus Vini Gold medals indicate serious quality at a price point well below comparably rated wines from better-known European appellations.

Why Saint George?

Nemea is Greece's most important red wine region, and Agiorgitiko is its defining grape — yet most wine drinkers outside Greece have never tasted either. Skouras Saint George serves as one of the most critically validated entry points into that world, with consistent scores in the high-80s to low-90s across major publications including James Suckling, Wine Enthusiast, and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The winemaking approach — stainless steel fermentation followed by maturation in neutral French barriques — preserves the grape's natural cherry-driven exuberance while adding just enough structure and spice complexity to hold up against far pricier Mediterranean reds. For anyone assembling a collection of benchmark indigenous-grape wines, this bottling earns its place alongside the best affordable expressions of Sangiovese, Tempranillo, and Xinomavro.