This Vin Santo or "Holy Wine" is a blend of Assyrtiko 75% - Aidani 25% from Santorini, Greece. It is a very interesting Dessert wine, but, a little goes a long way. Brownish amber in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is big with prunes, toffee, figs, nuts, and coffee. Full bodied. Thick and viscous. On the palate, this is very sweet.
This is a traditional blend of Assyrtiko 85%, Athiri 10%, and Aidani 5%. Nykteri means staying up all night and the grapes are pressed the night after harvesting. Medium golden in color with some yellow hues, clear and bright. The nose is great with lemons, floral notes, green apples and just the slightest hint of vanilla. Medium bodied with wispy tannins. Great balance. On the palate, this is round but still retains a fresh acidity. Flavors of green apples with a touch of baking spices. This is very concentrated and the finish is quite long. Nice on its own, this is better with fo
This is 100% Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece. Wines from this grape are made in many different styles from crisp, light wines to very serious full bodied wines. This is the later. This is fermented in French oak and then aged 12 months in French oak barrels and another twelve months in stainless steel. The vines are 150 to 200 years old and ungrafted. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is big with citrus, sea air, wet stones and slight orange peel. Full bodied. On the palate, this is concentrated with lemon-lime notes and underlying minerality. Long finish. This drinks
Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is all about minerality with a touch of peach, lemon and char. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, this is focused (piercing minerality) with good acidity. Long finish. This begs for food; maybe some Hummus and Pita, or some oysters. Drink over the next few years.
This is a white wine made from the Roditis grape which, depending who you ask, is the most (or second most) planted white grape in Greece. It is a natural and Demeter certified Biodynamic wine that comes in at 13% abv. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is very pretty (and a bit funky) with quince, sweet fresh (Laconian?) Thyme, and slight orange peel. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, it is very good but different from the nose.
This is a white wine from Western MAcedonia in Northern Greece. This is a white wine, golden with some green hues in color, clear and bright. The nose has limes, some floral notes and a hint of lychee. Slightly oily in texture. A hint of sweetness. Nice acidity. Spry energy. On the palate, the limes come thru a bit, but also a bit of Honeydew melon. Certainly not the same old, same old. It drinks nicely on its own and would work with lighter foods. Just a guess, but probably best to drink in the next year or two.
This a really interesting white that is a great value. Moschofilero is the name of the grape. Silvery in color with green and gold hues. The nose is really interesting with plums, tropical fruits, and some floral qualities. Nice, slightly oily texture. On the palate it has a tart but candied quality. Tropical fruits. Nice crispness. Long finish. Good finish. This should very very food friendly and go well with all kinds of sea foods. Oysters would be perfect. Drink over the next couple of years.
If you don't know this grape and/or this producer, you should.
Although summer has passed for this year, my wine of the summer was Assyrtiko from Santorini. There are many different producers and I didn't have a bad one. Very pale silvery gold in color. Light bodied. A slightly oily texture. This has a bit of lemon/lime citrus but its really more about the smoke and minerality. Good acidity. Long finish. This has some depth to it. I have no idea if these can age or not, but the energy and brightness are not likely to last, so I would drink in the next year or two. This will go well with sea food and salads and even lighter fowl dishes.
Assyrtiko is quickly becoming one of my favorite white grapes. Light golden in color. The nose is mostly about minerals and salinity but there are some pears as well. The pears are a bit stronger on the palate, but the underlying minerality and saline finish are still present. This is light bodied but very energetic. Moderate acidity. Medium finish. Of course, this is made for seafood or lighter Mediterranean cuisine, but it drinks nice on its own. I really have no idea if this will age but I would think it is better in its first couple of years.
