- published: 25 Sep 2013
- views: 2719
Assyrtiko or Asyrtiko is a white Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini. Assyrtiko is widely planted in the arid volcanic-ash-rich soil of Santorini and other Aegean islands, such as Paros. It is also found on other scattered regions of Greece such as Chalkidiki.
On Santorini, many old vine plantations (over 70 years of age) of Assyrtiko exists, of which many are non-grafted. These plantations have shown resistance to Phylloxera.
The mineral profile of the grape bodes well for blending and in recent times it has been blended often with Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon and Malagousia. Assyrtiko grapes clusters are large, with transparent yellow-gold skin and juicy flesh. In the volcanic soil of Santorini, there appear to be some unique characteristics that develop in the grape variety, and therefore in the wine. One of these characteristics is that Assyrtiko does not lose its acidity even if it is very ripe. Throughout Greece, the grape is vinified to make a variety of dry and sweet wines, including Vinsanto-like musky and syrup-sweet dessert wines. In Retsina, it is often blended with the less-acidic Savatiano grape.
The last time we tasted Assyrtiko on the show, we found ourselves hoping for more than the wine delivered. We received 4 samples of Assyrtiko from Santorini, and we had a great time expanding our palates and learning more about the style, and finding a couple that we enjoyed! In this episode we taste the 2008 Santo Wines Assyrtiko, 2009 Gavala Assyrtiko, 2008 Sigalas Assyrtiko, and the 2009 Argyros Assyrtiko. Does the wind on Santorini add a characteristic to the wine? If yes, what is it?
Domaine Paterianakis - Assyrtiko 2014 - PDO Peza tasted 100% blind by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson. Mouth-watering, High Acidity, Youthful Fruit Pale colour, very youthful with a slight green hue, straw colour, pale straw colour. Very fine nose, pure. With an emphasis on some mineral notes. Very youthful and restrained fruit, nicely restrained, I should say. With notes of pear, green apple with citrus, some fresh almond. Some floral components as well. Good grip on the palate. Medium weight here, but very good extract. There is fine extract, leaving a very mouth-watering sensation on the palate. High acidity. So very firm and positively restrained style with elegant, youthful fruit. Good length keeps lingering for sure. Still young, but I enjoy it very much this way. I...
Maria, my lovely fellow MW student from Greece is talking about Assyrtiko from Santorini (by Gaia Wild Ferment 2012), a white wine made by a Greek indigenous grape variety. Maria worked for the producer Gaia in 2006 so she knows well how the wine is made. Maria is working for Cantine Teanum in Puglia, Italy currently.
Opening a bottle of Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece and pairing it with my recipe of BBQ Scampi Skewers in citrus marinade. In this video I am getting my hands “greecy”! Santorini is one of the places on the planet where the grape vines grow on volcanic and ancient lava soil! The wine style is really complex and shows a different style which I totally recommend trying! I am also pairing this smokey wine with my own recipe on how to make a BBQ Scampi Skewers. #citrusmarinade Wine shouldn’t always be taken so seriously. Drink it and have a laugh. I started this channel as a way for me to connect with the world of wine as a certified Sommelier. #foodandwinepairing #wine #burger #BBQ My biggest recommendation for those of you who wants to know more about wine is to taste many different sty...
Wine Art Estate - Techni Assyrtiko 2015 - PGI Drama tasted 100% blind by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson. Fresh Green Apple, Mineral, Salivating Youthful and pale colour here with a moderately intense straw colour. Very fine nose. Very much on the, I would say, mineral style, some stony notes. Barely ripe stone fruit like white peach, with pear, ripe lemon. No oak is involved. It is finely layered on the nose. So there is quite a lots of stuff going on there. Really good purity. Very salivating on the palate. Medium-bodied with good flavour intensity. Bright freshness, balanced extract as well. With zesty notes and fine layers of fresh green apple to slightly riper apricot and stone fruit. Good length indeed. There is a mineral notion, almost with a salty sensation. Reall...