The Assyrtico
Grape
A versatile and ancient white grape variety from Greece, most famously grown on the volcanic soils of Santorini. Assyrtico is renowned for its ability to produce dry, full-bodied wines with high acidity and minerality. It offers flavors of citrus, green apple, and flint, making it excellent for aging and capable of expressing terroir with great clarity.
Assyrtico
Grape History
Assyrtico is a white grape variety that is believed to have originated in the ancient volcanic island of Santorini in Greece. It is known for its high acidity and mineral characteristics, making it a versatile grape that can produce a range of wines from dry to sweet, still to sparkling.
History:
Assyrtico has a long and storied history dating back thousands of years. It is thought to be one of the oldest grape varieties in the world, with references to a similar grape variety being found in ancient Greek texts. Assyrtico thrives in the volcanic soils of Santorini, where the vines are trained into unique basket-shaped canopies to protect the grapes from the strong winds and intense sun.
Interesting Facts:
- Assyrtico is a rare grape variety that is almost exclusively found in Greece, particularly on the islands of Santorini, Paros, and Crete.
- The high acidity of Assyrtico makes it well-suited for aging, with some examples aging gracefully for over a decade.
- Assyrtico is known for its ability to retain its acidity even in hot climates, making it a popular choice for winemakers in regions with warm climates.
Where it is grown:
While Assyrtico is primarily associated with Santorini, it is also grown in other parts of Greece, as well as in other countries such as Australia and the United States. The unique terroir of Santorini, with its sandy, volcanic soils and cool sea breezes, is believed to play a significant role in shaping the character of Assyrtico wines.
Wines Assyrtico goes in:
Assyrtico is most commonly found as a single varietal wine, showcasing its vibrant acidity and minerality. It is also often blended with other grape varieties, such as Athiri and Aidani, to create complex and well-balanced wines. Assyrtico wines are typically dry, with flavors of citrus, stone fruits, and a distinctive saline note.
Projected Future:
The future looks bright for Assyrtico, as interest in Greek wines continues to grow around the world. Winemakers are increasingly exploring the potential of Assyrtico, experimenting with different winemaking techniques and aging methods to showcase the full range of flavors this grape has to offer. With its unique terroir and distinctive character, Assyrtico is poised to become a global ambassador for Greek winemaking.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel