Giorgios Diamantakos is a third-generation grower in the foothills of Mount Vermio in Naoussa, Macedonia (Northern Greece). Naoussa is best-known for its red wines made from xinomavro, but Giorgios is one of a tiny number of producers helping to resurrect the almost-extinct indigenous white variety preknadi. It was widely planted before phylloxera arrived in the area at the beginning of the 20th century but fell out of favor as growers replanted xinomavro afterwards. Preknadi owes its name to its freckles – prekna in Greek - small brown spots on the grape’s skin. The wine aged briefly in a combination of stainless steel and used barriques. It is a white wine of texture, juiciness, and concentration, with peachy fruit, a pleasingly bitter edge, moderate acidity, and hints of spice. (Viognier fans, take note!) It's an excellent gastronomic wine, including with baked fish, mild curries, and pad thai. It also ages remarkably well for 5-10 years.
