Why is retsina becoming so hard to find? I happen to like the stuff, especially with shellfish. In my area only Beverages & More sells it. They have one brand, $5.99. I asked a beverages manager at Trader Joe. He had never heard of it.
In my area I can buy it at (among other places):
Cost Plus World Market Bristol Farms Vendome Liquor
Dimitri
I mean no offense, but I think the answer is obvious - most people find it utterly undrinkable, thus there is little market for it and no reason to take up shelf space with it. If you have a Greek deli nearby that may be your best bet.
Eric White
You could make your own by adding some grain alcohol to Mr. Clean or Pinesol.....:-)
Just kidding, sorry if I offended anyone.
AG
Several years ago, while still on USAF active duty, I was coordinating an exercise with the Greek Air Force. I got invited to the home of a Greek Brigadier General that I had worked with on the project. It was one of those spur-of-the-moment, pick-up-the-phone-and call-the-wife, invitations and she responded incredibly with a magnificent meal.
After dinner we were sitting and talking when the General asked if I had ever tasted retsina. I'd heard all the horror stories over the years, but "when in Rome" (or in this case Athens), I graciously said no, but I would be willing to try. He went down to the basement and returned with a liter crystal pitcher filled with a pink wine that glowed like it was electrified. (Most retsina is the color of low-grade turpentine.)
He poured glasses for us and toasted his father. It was magnificent. It certainly had the pine resin taste, but it was light, refreshing and wonderful. He told us that his father made a barrel of it each year and distributed it to his five sons who valued it highly. I could see why.
Like so many cross-cultural things, there is usually a good reason why folks maintain traditions of eating and drinking strange stuff that many of us turn up our noses at. I'd love to get on the General's fathers Christmas list.
Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" Smithsonian Institution Press ISBN #1-58834-103-8
Hi Ed,
I believe most small bars (in small villages) "make" (or whatever you'd call it) there own retsina, hence the quality is really variable.
A Parisien greek friend who vacations each year on Skyros was recently bemoaning the loss of these cottage-industry-retsinas. Apparently there's a lot of really lousy SB that is replacing it. Not that my friend is particularly a retsina fan, but I guess it creates a certain ambiance... :)
-E
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