Cavino Nemea Agiorgitiko

Cavino Nemea Agiorgitiko is a 100% Agiorgitiko red wine from PDO Nemea, Greece, bottled at 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2019 vintage earned a Gold Medal at the Berlin Wine Trophy in 2023, underscoring the consistency Cavino brings to one of Greece's most important indigenous grape varieties. Grown in sub-mountainous vineyards at 300–500 meters elevation, this wine channels a specific terroir within the broader Nemea appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13%  |  Origin: Nemea, Peloponnese, Greece  |  PDO Nemea  |  Winery: Cavino Winery & Distillery S.A.

Production & Heritage

Cavino Winery & Distillery S.A. is one of the Peloponnese's most established producers, drawing Agiorgitiko fruit from sub-mountainous vineyard sites between 300 and 500 meters above sea level within the PDO Nemea zone. After harvest, the grapes are pressed and undergo a maceration period of approximately 10 days under controlled temperature conditions, extracting color and tannin before fermentation completes. The altitude of the source vineyards is worth noting: Master of Wine Jancis Robinson has observed that some of the most serious expressions of Agiorgitiko come from higher-elevation sites around Nemea, where cooler temperatures preserve acidity and aromatic complexity in the grape.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe raspberry and juicy plum before shifting into a floral register of dried lavender. Behind the fruit sits a warm butterscotch note and a subtle peppery edge that hints at the wine's structure.

Taste: On entry, the palate is soft and fruit-forward, led by black cherry and plum. At mid-palate, dried prune and clove-like sweet spice emerge, while blackberry and a whisper of leather add depth. The tannins are distinctly velvety, giving the wine a rounded, medium-bodied texture without harsh grip.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering notes of dark berry fruit and a faint floral echo. A trace of black pepper and warm spice keeps the finish lively and dry.

How to Drink Cavino Nemea

Serve at 16–18°C (61–64°F). This Agiorgitiko rewards drinking at a slightly cool room temperature; 15 minutes of decanting opens the floral aromatics considerably. For wine-based cocktails, its fruit-forward profile and moderate tannin work well in a classic red Sangria, where the plum and berry notes meld with citrus and seasonal fruit. It also performs in a Kalimotxo — a simple red wine and cola combination popular across southern Europe — where its soft tannins keep the drink balanced. A red wine spritzer using sparkling water and a lemon twist highlights the wine's inherent freshness from its altitude-grown fruit.

Best For

• Introducing someone to Greek indigenous grape varieties
• Weeknight Mediterranean dinners with grilled lamb or roasted vegetables
• Building a comparative tasting of Nemea producers
• Gifting a wine enthusiast exploring Peloponnesian reds

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Cavino Nemea taste like? It delivers ripe plum, black cherry, and raspberry with floral lavender accents, backed by velvety tannins and a touch of sweet spice like clove. The overall impression is soft, fruit-driven, and medium-bodied.

How does Cavino Nemea compare to Skouras Grande Cuvée Nemea? Skouras Grande Cuvée is generally considered a more structured, age-worthy expression of Nemea Agiorgitiko, often involving oak aging that adds complexity and firmer tannins. Cavino Nemea leans toward immediate drinkability with softer tannins and a more overtly fruit-forward, approachable style at a lower price point.

Is Cavino Nemea good for beginners? Its soft tannins, generous red and black fruit, and lack of aggressive oak make it an excellent introduction to both the Agiorgitiko grape and Greek red wine in general. The 13% ABV keeps the wine balanced and easy to enjoy.

Where is Cavino Nemea made? It is produced by Cavino Winery & Distillery S.A. from 100% Agiorgitiko grapes grown in the PDO Nemea zone of the Peloponnese, Greece. The specific vineyard sites sit at sub-mountainous elevations between 300 and 500 meters.

What foods pair well with Cavino Nemea? Grilled lamb chops complement the wine's berry fruit and peppery spice. Moussaka works well, as the wine's acidity cuts through the béchamel richness. Hard aged cheeses like Graviera echo the butterscotch undertones. Roasted red pepper dishes mirror the wine's fruit character, and cured meats like bresaola align with its subtle leather notes.

What sizes does Cavino Nemea come in? The standard format is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available size for this wine.

Is Cavino Nemea worth the price? Cavino Nemea positions as an entry-level to mid-range PDO Nemea red, making it one of the more accessible ways to experience quality Agiorgitiko. Its Berlin Wine Trophy Gold Medal suggests the wine punches above its price tier in terms of quality.

Why Cavino Nemea?

The Berlin Wine Trophy Gold Medal validates what the wine's terroir suggests: sub-mountainous Agiorgitiko from 300–500 meters elevation in Nemea produces fruit with genuine aromatic complexity and balanced structure. Unlike many entry-level Greek reds that lean on softness alone, this bottling delivers identifiable varietal character — the lavender, the butterscotch, the velvety tannin profile that marks well-grown Agiorgitiko. Cavino's scale as one of Greece's major producers means consistency across vintages, a practical advantage when buying by the case or introducing the grape to others. For anyone building knowledge of Greek wine or seeking an honest, well-made Peloponnesian red, this remains a reliable benchmark at its tier.