Naked Wines supporting some lesser known, excellent winemakers
By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr
23/11/2022
There is absolutely no doubt that lesser known areas of the world, and lesser or even unknown grape varieties can be fantastic value for money. The opposite is also true, probably two of the most famous wines, both from France, Sancerre from the Loire, and Chateauneuf du Pape from the Rhone, are some of the most expensive and least good value for money.
I have picked out three wines from Macedonia and Greece, ancient growing areas, where modern wine making skills and lower yields from old vines are generating some excellent wines, and fantastic value.
From the hills south of Skopje in Northern Macedonia there is a ancient grape grown called Vranac.
Vranac make big gutsy red wines, but with lovely "lifted" acidity and good complexity. Naked have a young 2021 wine called Marko Stojakovic Merak, made from a blend of Vranac, and great value at only £8.99.
Further south in Northern Greece, there is another ancient grape called Xinomavro which makes gentle fresh reds, which are again most interesting and very good with Greek food like Moussaka.
Naked's Xinomavro Limniona 2021 is again good value for £15.99.
Then Greek whites are a rival to all other Mediterranean whites, and I love the Assyrtiko grape, and Naked have a blend with another interesting grape, Malagouzia which is a bit like Pinot Noir, in that it has red skins and white juice, so makes both white and red wines. Olakala 2021 is an excellent blend and great value for £15.99.
I am also delighted to see that Naked have started selling some good wines from the UK. The Chardonnay from the Simpson family of Barham Court, both the standard and reserve wines are excellent examples of the quality being made in England. These wines are not inexpensive, but they can compare with good French Chardonnay.
Naked also have from the Kent Bolney Estate, a Bacchus which is a grape which does well here, called Founders Bacchus, and is fair value.
Remember, there is an exclusive £75 voucher available from WinesDirect for a first order, so good to use it against some very good wines. Unlock it from the table below.