Wines of the Ancient World Tasting: Stem Wine Bar Recap

This month at Stem Wine Bar, we explored their Wines of the Ancient World tasting. The theme highlighted historic grapes from Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, and Armenia. It felt refreshing and very different from the regions we usually taste.

We began with an Italian cocktail and the baked goat cheese dip. It always sets the tone for the night. After that, the Wines of the Ancient World tasting moved into three rounds, followed by a bonus pour. Each wine came with a clear story and a thoughtful pairing.

Many grapes were completely new to me. Merwah, Emir, Limnio, and Areni Noir rarely appear on local wine lists. Because of that, each pour felt like a small discovery. Tasting these wines with dishes designed to highlight their flavors made every round more exciting. Overall, the Wines of the Ancient World tasting offered variety, history, and a fun look at ancient traditions.

Why “Ancient World” Wines?

When we talk about “ancient world” wines, we look east of the classic Old World regions. These areas shaped early wine culture and still carry that legacy today.

• Lebanon – The Phoenicians traded wine across the Mediterranean for thousands of years. Today, Lebanese wine still centers around the Bekaa Valley. High-altitude vineyards and dramatic temperature swings help these wines stay fresh and expressive.
• Turkey – Turkey is home to some of the world’s earliest domesticated vines. Indigenous grapes like Emir grow in high, volcanic soils in central Anatolia. As a result, these wines often show bright acidity and delicate aromatics.
• Greece – Islands like Limnos and regions such as Amyndeon have produced Limnio and Xinomavro since antiquity. These grapes carry deep roots and long-standing traditions.
• Armenia – Vayots Dzor holds the Areni-1 cave, the world’s oldest winery site. It dates back to roughly 4100 BC. The Areni grape still grows in the same mountain valleys today.

Because of this rich history, the tasting felt especially thoughtful. The night began with two bright and refreshing whites.

Round 1: Fresh Whites from Lebanon & Turkey

Château Ksara, Bekaa Valley 2023, Merwah
Food Pairing: Muhammara flatbread – roasted red pepper and walnut dip, pomegranate molasses, sesame flatbread

• Smell & Taste: Lemon, lime, citrus blossom, guava, green melon, wet stone, and almond. Bright straw in color, and the acidity felt fresh and zippy.
• Winery Note: Merwah is an ancient grape from Lebanon. It has long been used in both wine and arak. Château Ksara, founded by Jesuit monks in 1857, grows Merwah at high altitude. Cool air and rocky soils create a bright, aromatic style that feels both historic and modern.
• Pairing Highlight: The roasted red pepper and walnut richness paired beautifully with the wine’s citrus lift. The pomegranate molasses echoed the tropical notes. The sesame flatbread added crunch and warmth. It was one of the most memorable bites of the night.

Paşaeli, Aegean 2023, Emir
Food Pairing: Sigara böreği – Turkish cigar pastries with feta and herb filling, mint yogurt, sumac

• Smell & Taste: Lemon, linden flowers, quince, clementines, lemon custard, yellow apple, and strong minerality. Pale yellow gold in color.
• Winery Note: Paşaeli is a family-owned winery near İzmir. The estate focuses on indigenous grapes and terroir-driven wines. Emir, a historic variety from central Anatolia, thrives in mineral-rich soils. As a result, it often produces fresh and lightly aromatic whites.
• Pairing Highlight: The feta-filled pastries were crisp and warm. The mint yogurt added a cool balance. The wine’s citrus notes lifted the dish’s richness, making the pairing feel bright and lively.

Round 2: Ancient Reds – Greece & Sicily

Savvoglou Tsivolas, Limnos 2022, Limnio
Food Pairing: Arancini – short rib ragu, mozzarella

• Smell & Taste: Fresh red berries—cranberry, cherry, and wild raspberry—with soft tannins, balanced acidity, and a smooth, ruby-fruited finish.
• Winery Note: On the volcanic island of Limnos, Savvoglou–Tsivolas farms about 65 hectares. They focus on Muscat of Alexandria and Limnio, a grape mentioned in classical texts. Their Limnio is soft, approachable, and shaped by the island’s windswept volcanic soils. Limnio was Arostole’s favorite variety and is mentioned by many philosophers, historians, and ancient travellers.
• Pairing Highlight: The arancini were pure comfort. The crispy shell, rich ragu, and melted mozzarella made each bite satisfying. The wine’s red-fruit brightness cut through the richness, keeping the pairing balanced. It quickly became one of my favorites.

Feudi del Pisciotto, Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2022, Nero d’Avola & Frappato
Food Pairing: Charred octopus – Santorini fava purée, lemon, olive oil, capers, pickled red onion

• Smell & Taste: Juicy red cherry, mulberry, and pomegranate with hints of dried earth and coffee. Soft tannins and a smooth, medium-bodied texture, with a deep cherry-red color.
• Winery Note: Feudi del Pisciotto sits in southeastern Sicily near Vittoria. The region is known for Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Sicily’s only DOCG. The blend of Nero d’Avola and Frappato creates a fragrant red with depth, lift, and a clear Mediterranean feel.
• Pairing Highlight: The charred octopus paired beautifully with this wine. The bright citrus and briny capers matched the wine’s acidity. The creamy fava base highlighted its earthy side. It was a smart and seamless pairing.

Round 3: Mountain Reds from Armenia & Lebanon

Yacoubian-Hobbs, Vayots Dzor 2022 – Areni Noir
Food Pairing: Mini lamb kebab skewers, pistachio dukkah, herb yogurt

• Smell & Taste: Black currant, spiced plum, cacao, forest floor, black pepper, and spiced fig. Dark ruby with purple highlights, and fine, elegant tannins.
• Winery Note:acoubian-Hobbs is a partnership between the Yacoubian family and winemaker Paul Hobbs. They work in Vayots Dzor, near the Areni-1 cave. High elevation and volcanic soils shape this elegant and fresh expression of Areni.
• Pairing Highlight: The lamb skewers were tender and rich. The pistachio dukkah added warm spice. The herb yogurt cooled each bite. The wine’s acidity and spice matched the dish perfectly.

Château Musar Jeune, Bekaa Valley 2022, Cinsault, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon
Food Pairing: Honey walnut baklava

• Smell & Taste: Black currant, raspberry, and cherry jam with hints of sweet baking spice and black pepper. Silky texture, and a juicy, fruit-forward finish that’s dark purple in color.
• Winery Note: Musar Jeune is Château Musar’s youthful, unoaked red. It blends Cinsault, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bekaa Valley.
• Pairing Highlight: The honey walnut baklava was a fun surprise. The wine’s dark fruit and warm spice matched the sweet pastry and nuts. It felt unexpected but very successful.

Bonus Round: A Greek & Lebanese Encore

Alpha Estate, Amyndeon 2022, Xinomavro

• Smell & Taste: Cranberry, red currant, and vanilla with notes of dried herbs, tomato leaf, and spice. Framed by firm yet polished tannins and bright acidity, and bright ruby with purple highlights.
• Winery Note: Alpha Estate works in Amyndeon, a cool and high-altitude region in northwestern Greece. The estate focuses on sustainable viticulture and precise, terroir-driven expressions of indigenous varieties, such as Xinomavro.
• Pairing Highlight: This wine shines with food. It pairs well with tomato-based dishes, roasted vegetables, or hearty herbs. It felt like the perfect “red sauce and roasted lamb” bottle.

Ixsir, Batroun District, Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot

• Smell & Taste: Black currant, black cherry, and plum with hints of spice, cocoa, cedar, and peppercorn. Dark ruby in color with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel supported by gentle tannins.
• Arabic for “elixir”.
• Pairing Highlight: This wine worked with many styles of food. It shines next to grilled meats, slow braises, or mezze plates. It was a great way to close the night.

Favorites from the Night

Food-wise, my top three were:

• Muhammara flatbread – that roasted red pepper, walnut, and pomegranate combo with the Merwah was a standout.
• Arancini with short rib ragu & mozzarella – total comfort food and such a natural pairing with the Limnio.
• Honey walnut baklava – especially with the Musar Jeune; that pairing was unexpected but so good. Chef Dom even gave me a little extra!

On the wine side, it’s hard to choose, but the ones that really stuck with me were:

• Château Ksara Merwah – bright, textured, and such a fun intro to an ancient Lebanese grape.
• Yacoubian-Hobbs Areni Noir – elegant, spicy, and packed with history in every sip.
• Alpha Estate Xinomavro – floral, structured, and the kind of wine that makes you want to plan a Greek dinner around it.

Several of these grapes were firsts for me. Even so, each one felt approachable once I had the story, the context, and the pairing.

Final Pour

This Wines of the Ancient World tasting showed how exciting lesser-known grapes can be. Each region brought something unique. The pairings made every wine feel complete.

If you liked this post, you may enjoy my Southern Italy recap.
👉 Southern Italy Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar

This Wines of the Ancient World tasting reminded me how much I love exploring new regions. It also showed how big and historic the wine world truly is.

Coming Soon: Greatest Hits Wine Tasting

Stem’s monthly tastings are always worth attending. December’s theme is Greatest Hits, featuring the most popular pours of the year. It’s a great way to end the season.

📅 Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout October 2025
📍 Location: Stem Wine Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste 516, Marietta, GA 30068
🎟️ Tickets: Available on Eventbrite