π Assyrtiko
A white grape from the island of Santorini, Greece, giving fresh mineral wines.
Assyrtiko is a white grape from the island of Santorini in Greece. It is the country's best-known white grape. It endures heat, drought and strong winds. Vines on Santorini grow in volcanic soil, often ungrafted on their own roots, because phylloxera never reached the island. The vine is trained in a low basket so that the wind does not ruin the berries.
Assyrtiko wine is dry and fresh, with bright acidity and a clear mineral taste. There are notes of citrus, lemon and salty sea breeze. It ages well, and notes of honey appear with time. The grape grows in other parts of Greece too: the Cyclades, Attica, Macedonia, Halkidiki, Epanomi and Drama, and it also goes into Monemvasia-Malvasia wine.
Assyrtiko belongs to Greek wine and to grape varieties. It has become a symbol of modern Greek winemaking. It is served with fish, seafood and salads with olives. Chilled, the wine refreshes especially well in the heat.
How it connects to Wine
π Assyrtiko β kind of β π Grape varieties β kind of β π· Wine
Links
- Part of
- π Grape varieties
- Origin
- πΊοΈ Greek wine
- Where it grows
- π Santorini, π Attica, π Macedonia (Greece), π Drama, π Halkidiki, π Monemvasia, π Aegean Islands
- Main grape in
- π Monemvasia-Malvasia, π Drama, π Epanomi, π Cyclades, π Macedonia (Greece), π Halkidiki, π Santorini
- Related to
- π· Vinsanto of Santorini, π· Retsina
Frequently asked questions
What is Assyrtiko?
A white Greek grape from the island of Santorini that makes fresh, mineral wines.
Why are vines on Santorini trained as baskets?
The low basket protects the berries from strong winds.
What is Assyrtiko wine served with?
Fish, seafood and salads, chilled.
What to read next
- πΊοΈ Greek wine β The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grape varieties, appellations.
- π Macedonia (Greece) β Northern Greece, home of Xinomavro.
- π Aegean Islands β Windy islands from Lemnos to Rhodes.
- π· Retsina β Greek white or rosΓ© wine with added pine resin.
- π· Vinsanto of Santorini β A Greek sweet wine from grapes dried in the sun on the island of Santorini.
Similar
π Malagousia Β· π Aidani Β· π Athiri Β· π Limnio Β· π Mandilaria Β· π Monemvassia