DRINKING WITH DOMINGO

We be drinkin’ krasi every night oh, Greek wine be sweet, yes I know so
We never sleep, baby I know, Drinkin’ wit Domingo....

So, I have a lot of friends who like to drink with me. Being the incredible Greek wine expert and all-around fun fellow that I am, people tend to gravitate towards my orbit when the chance to enjoy Greek wine is striking their fancy. One of those people is a longtime friend and recent national star, Domingo. Domingo and I go way back, long before he was putting the “ass” in Assyrtiko.

When I first met a young Domingo in Miami, he barely knew a thing about Greek wine. His experience drinking anything Greek was blasting Ouzo Bombs at Voodoo Lounge on South Beach. I knew I had to take him under my wing, and fast. I like to stay humble, but I can safely say that guiding Domingo through his Greek wine odyssey helped make him the homewrecker he is today. I told him to take a leave of absence from his pool boy job and I booked tickets to Greece.

I first introduced Domingo to the glories that is Moschofilero, a wine so diverse and nuanced you can make sublime white wines from it, with floral perfume notes that Domingo immediately realized would be killer in the boudoir, to vibrant roses that would be the hit of any bridesmaid’s brunch.

Then I turned him on to the rugged red Agiorgitiko. The brooding bad boy of Greek red wines. I was quick to show Domingo this was the exact red to order at a fancy Mediterranean grill, before stealing someone’s girlfriend and ghosting the soon-to-be ex with the tab. He was picking up fast.

From the Peloponnesos we headed north to sample the sensuous white wine that is Malagousia. With notes of tropical fruit, jasmine, and fresh citrus, it would be perfect to sip while relaxing in a rooftop jacuzzi. Domingo was beginning to understand the romantic possibilities of Greek wine, he knew I was turning him on to something truly magical.

While in northern Greece we switched to the magical red Xinomavro. Truly the most romantic of all Greek reds, this wine is complex yet subtle, powerful yet refined. Notes of cherry, roasted tomato, cedar and leather make this a bewitching wine that is sure to make anyone weak in the knees.

Domingo was itching to hit Santorini and show off his newfound knowledge on the Swedish tourists, but I knew we had one more stop first, Crete.

In Crete we first sampled Liatiko, the rebel red of that untamable island. Wild red fruit, spicy earth notes, and fine tannins that would be perfect on those hazy nights at a Miami barbeque. The ladies would swoon.

Next, we sampled Vidiano. So flexible, so supple, so varied. From orange wines that bring the grooviest funk, to intoxicatingly scented whites that are the definition of sexy, Vidiano is Murder on the Dancefloor in wine form.

We had one last stop……Santorini.

There we had the Aphrodite of all Greek wines, Assyrtiko. We saved the best for last. Assyrtiko is simply the hottest grape there is. When I used to hang out with Prince and have wine, he insisted it was always Assyrtiko from Santorini. Prince taught me all I know about how to be cool with wine, while I taught him the artistry that was Greek wine, but that is for another day and another story, I was on Santorini to impress upon young Domingo the importance of the most mythical grape of all.

We sampled them all, from the bright, fresh styles made with notes of seafoam and sun, to the subtly oaked “Nykteri” styles that will make you tingle all over. Then finally sparkling Assyrtiko, which is the only wine to drink while on a mega-yacht in the Aegean and that I exclusively import to Domingo’s favorite new restaurant, Kaia in the South End. He knew with one sip that these wines were the key to all his romantic possibilities.

We left Santorini and Domingo has never looked back. Now with his newfound fame, we don’t hang out as much, what with him on the run from pissed-off husbands and such. We just don’t get the chance to slow down, sample the glory that is Greek wine, and reflect on lives well-lived.

When we started his odyssey, Domingo was wide-eyed and innocent, now with my Hellenic wine knowledge, he crashes Sabrina Carpenter concerts and is the true Sexiest Man Alive. He may be a scoundrel, but he’s the scoundrel I call friend and drinking buddy. Here’s to you, Domingo, whoever’s bed you’re in right now. Don’t forget your Assyrtiko.

— Evan