Retsina Doesn't Have to Taste Like That — Eleni Kechri of 1979 Wines Proves It

<p>Almost everyone has had a bad Retsina. Sharp, cheap, that unmistakable resinous coat on your teeth that put you off for years. But what if the problem was never the resin — it was the way the resin was harvested?</p><p>In this episode, I taste three bottles with Eleni Kechri, the founder of 1979 Wines and one of Greece&#39;s most rigorous Retsina researchers. All three made from Assyrtiko from her own vineyard in Emathia, northern Greece — but each produced with resin from a completely different pine forest. The result is a masterclass in what forest terroir actually means.</p><p>In this episode:</p><ul><li>Why sustainable resin harvesting (without sulphuric acid) fundamentally changes the wine</li><li>How coastal pines in Halkidiki produce different aromas than inland forests in Attica or Corinthia</li><li>7,000 years of Retsina history — and how shortcuts almost destroyed its reputation</li><li>What it meant when Julie Harding MW awarded 18/20 to a Greek Retsina</li><li>Where Eleni is heading next: rosé, claret, and more forests to explore</li></ul><p>Eleni Kechri holds degrees in chemical engineering (University of Thessaloniki) and oenology (Bordeaux), worked in Germany and France, and founded 1979 Wines — named for the year Retsina received its official denomination, which is also her birth year. And mine also :-)</p><p>Wines discussed:</p><ul><li>1979 Kalos Thalassino 2022 — Assyrtiko, coastal Pinus halepensis from Halkidiki (iodine, lemon zest, sea spray) — approx. €16 in Greece</li><li>1979 Kalos Stergianos 2022 — Assyrtiko, Megara plateau, Attica (herbal, rounder, rosemary) — approx. €16 in Greece</li><li>1979 Kalos 2020 — Assyrtiko, assemblage of three forests (hazelnuts, citrus marmalade, petrol) — approx. €25 in Greece</li></ul><p>1979 Wines: <a href="https://1979.gr/en/">https://1979.gr/en/</a></p><p>Connect with Jeroen:</p><ul><li>Instagram: @vinovonk</li><li>LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeroenvonk</li><li>Website: vinovonk.com</li></ul>