Greece, Aegean, Cyclades, Santorini
100% Assyrtiko
This bottle was a gift from a dear friend, recommended to him by a colleague. I’ll admit, I haven’t often sought out Greek wine, and my experience with it has been fairly limited. But on this particular occasion—a hot summer evening, an outdoor piano recital, and fresh, homemade lobster rolls for dinner, it turned out to be an absolute winner.
This wine pours a light straw yellow with a hint of green. On the nose, it’s fresh and inviting…think citrus, white flowers, and a touch of something green and herbal. Right out of the bottle, it’s zippy and bright, with lots of lemon and lime and a mouthwatering acidity that really wakes up your palate.
Give it a little time in the glass and it softens beautifully. After about an hour, it becomes smoother and creamier, with a more rounded texture, while still keeping that crisp, refreshing finish. A nice balance of bright fruit, subtle minerality, and lively energy—perfect for this evening.
About Assyrtiko
Despite the island’s extreme heat and wind, Assyrtiko thrives thanks to the traditional koulara method, where vines are woven into basket shapes to shield grapes from the elements. When yields decline around age 70, vines are cut back and regrafted onto the same deep rootstock, which draws moisture from pumice-rich soils. Many of these vines are centuries old, protected from phylloxera by the island’s clay-free soil. Due to the intense heat and minimal rainfall, harvest typically begins in mid-August.