The Savatiano
Grape
The most widely planted white grape variety in Greece, particularly around Athens, used primarily in the production of Retsina. It produces mild, subtly aromatic wines with low acidity, offering flavors of lemon, apple, and sometimes herbal notes when not influenced by pine resin.
Savatiano
Grape History
Savatiano is a white wine grape variety that is native to Greece, specifically to the region of Attica. It is one of the most widely planted grape varieties in Greece and has a long history dating back to ancient times. The name "Savatiano" is derived from the word "Sava," which means "Saturday" in Greek, as this grape was traditionally harvested on Saturdays.
Historically, Savatiano has been widely used in the production of the Greek wine Retsina, a traditional wine that has been flavored with pine resin. However, in recent years, winemakers have begun to experiment with Savatiano in crafting high-quality, complex wines that showcase the grape's unique characteristics.
Savatiano is known for its high acidity and moderate alcohol levels, making it well-suited for producing crisp, refreshing wines with citrus and floral notes. It is often blended with other grape varieties such as Assyrtiko and Malagousia to create well-balanced and aromatic wines.
Savatiano is primarily grown in the Attica region, which includes the famous wine-producing districts of Athens and Mesogaia. The sandy and limestone-rich soils of Attica, combined with the region's Mediterranean climate, provide ideal growing conditions for Savatiano grapes.
In addition to its traditional use in Retsina, Savatiano has also been used to produce varietal wines and blends that are gaining recognition both domestically and internationally. These wines are known for their vibrant acidity, minerality, and versatility when it comes to food pairings.
The projected future of Savatiano looks promising, as more winemakers are focusing on elevating the quality and reputation of this grape variety. With its unique flavor profile and adaptability to different winemaking styles, Savatiano has the potential to become a sought-after grape variety in the global wine market.
Overall, Savatiano is a grape variety with a rich history, distinctive characteristics, and exciting potential for the future. Its versatility and ability to produce a wide range of wines make it a valuable asset to the Greek wine industry, and it is definitely a grape variety worth exploring and enjoying.
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