Some love stories begin with wine. For Rick Eradus, the two became beautifully intertwined during an unforgettable honeymoon on Rhodes. When he and his wife discovered a captivating Greek sparkling wine that simply didn’t exist in the Netherlands, they did what any wine-smitten couple would do—they brought a box home. Fast forward to October 2024, and that romantic impulse had blossomed into Eradus Wijnimport, a boutique wine shop dedicated to sharing Greece’s most extraordinary wines with the Benelux region.
A Mission Born from Passion
What sets Rick Eradus apart isn’t just the wines he imports—it’s the story behind each bottle. This isn’t a faceless distributor pushing mass-market products. Instead, Rick personally visits winemakers in Greece, building genuine relationships and selecting wines that showcase authentic Greek terroir. His mission is refreshingly simple: to introduce Dutch, Belgian, and Luxembourg wine lovers to flavors they’ve never experienced before.
However, the shop’s online presence could benefit from more educational content about Greek wine regions and detailed pairing suggestions beyond the basics.
The Tirnavos Treasure: Black Muscat Rediscovered
At the heart of Rick’s portfolio lies the Black Muscat of Tirnavos, a grape with a fascinating resurrection story. When phylloxera devastated Greece’s historic vineyards in the early 1930s, the Tirnavos region in Thessaly responded by replanting with Muscat Hamburg. This variety—a cross between Italian Schiava Grossa and Egyptian Muscat of Alexandria—adapted so successfully that today over 10,000 acres thrive there. In fact, the variety earned the official synonym “Moschato Tyrnavou” in international vine catalogues.
What makes this grape remarkable is its versatility. Those dark-skinned berries burst with rose petal and honey aromatics, creating wines unlike anything you’ll find in conventional wine shops.
Two Expressions, Endless Delight
Rick showcases Black Muscat’s duality through two exceptional wines from Estate Migas Dimitris. When I opened the Black Muscat of Tirnavos Blanc de Noir (€9.38), the first thing that struck me was its beautiful light lemon-yellow color. The nose delivered an intriguing mix of tropical fruit, fresh citrus, and earthy undertones—it actually reminded me of Sauvignon Blanc with its grassy, lime zest character. On the palate, the fruitiness explodes: tropical notes dominate, but you’ll also catch cherry, apricot, raspberry, and those distinctive peach candy aromas. It’s a fascinating discovery that shows you’re drinking something more than just a typical white wine. While the finish isn’t exceptionally long, at 12.5% alcohol this blanc de noir pairs beautifully with seafood and white meats.
The Black Muscat of Tirnavos Half Mousserend (€16.50) takes a different approach entirely. This semi-sparkling beauty shows more restraint on the nose compared to its still counterpart—tropical fruit and citrus still shine, with peach and nectarine notes, plus those earthy tones and a noticeably sweeter, candy-like character. On the palate, the elegant sweetness reminded me of Moscato d’Asti, though this Greek version adds intriguing fennel and anise hints. At 11% alcohol with gentle bubbles, it’s remarkably versatile—perfect with fresh salads, seafood, fruit, pastries, or as an aperitif. I’ll admit the sweetness isn’t my personal cup of tea, but I can absolutely appreciate its elegant execution and understand why it would delight those who love off-dry sparkling wines.
While both wines offer genuine interest and excellent value, product descriptions lack information about organic or sustainable farming practices—details increasingly important to conscious consumers.
Why These Wines Matter
When was the last time you tried something truly different? Greek wine is experiencing a renaissance, and shops like Rick Eradus serve as essential gatekeepers. These aren’t wines you’ll stumble upon at your local supermarket. They represent genuine regional character, produced in limited quantities by dedicated winemakers who care deeply about their craft.
The Black Muscat of Tirnavos offers something rare: a grape variety with deep historical roots that remains virtually unknown outside Greece. For wine explorers tired of the same old Chardonnays and Pinot Grigios, these bottles offer genuine revelation.
More information: https://eraduswijnimport.nl/
Transparency note: This article is part of a paid collaboration with Rick Eradus Wijnimport. All opinions reflect genuine assessment based on personal tasting.
