The flavor of retsina, a wine infused with the resin of Aleppo pine trees, has often been likened to turpentine, even by people who like the stuff. Most modern retsinas are made with poor, thin wine. A potent addition of resin masks the dullness of the base with a sharp, bracing pungency.
What kind of wine is retsina?
white
Retsina (Greek: Ρετσίνα) is a Greek white (or rosé) resinated wine, which has been made for at least 2,000 years. Its unique flavor is said to have originated from the practice of sealing wine vessels, particularly amphorae, with Aleppo Pine resin in ancient times.
Does retsina go bad?
Retsina is far stronger, far worse than oak, especially since it’s not meant to be absorbed in a long aging process. The wines are rarely intended to age, actually. At the so-called “high end,” some suggest the wine can age for five years.
Is retsina sweet or dry?
The specific taste of retsina cannot be well explained to someone who has never tried it but in general it is mild, neither sweet nor bitter. Also, the taste and flavor vary from brand to brand and are subject to personal preferences.
Is retsina a sweet wine?
Retsina’s Past as a Salty-Sweet Wine of Ancient Greece Certainly, there are wines with delicate, saline-like flavors, but they aren’t exactly salty.
What do you pair with retsina?
The enticing herbal aromas in retsina make it a perfect partner at the table for dishes like roasted chicken with rosemary or simple grilled fish with lemon and mint. Lamb recommends serving retsina with a platter of rice and vegetable-stuffed dolmades.
Should retsina be chilled?
It also pairs well with pasta dishes, particularly those with strong Mediterranean flavors such as pesto sauce. Retsina has an alcohol content of 12 to 12.5 percent and is best served chilled at 10C.
What does retsina pair with?
How do you make retsina?
Retsina is produced by the addition of the natural resin extracted from pinus halepensis (commonly known as Aleppo Pine) during fermentation of white and, in rare cases, of rosé wines. Having left only its aroma in the wine, the resin is then removed.
