{"id":11659,"date":"2020-05-12T13:23:37","date_gmt":"2020-05-12T17:23:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/?post_type=grape&p=11659"},"modified":"2020-06-30T17:37:21","modified_gmt":"2020-06-30T21:37:21","slug":"assyrtiko","status":"publish","type":"grape","link":"https:\/\/www.winetraveler.com\/grape\/assyrtiko\/","title":{"rendered":"Assyrtiko"},"content":{"rendered":"

Assyrtiko is arguably one of the more well-known Greek white wine grapes. It makes a light-bodied, refreshingly crisp wine with flavors of citrus fruits, tropical notes, saline, and noticeable minerality. It is originally from the Cyclades island of Santorini but now has been widely planted across mainland Greece<\/a><\/strong> as well as in parts of Australia<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Terroir of Assyrtiko<\/h2>\n

In the vineyard, Assyrtiko thrives in the volcanic ash-rich soils of Santorini, as well as the hot and dry climate that is often windy. Many of the vines located in Santorini are old vines of 70+ years and some may even be up to 250 years old. Most are ungrafted as it is unnecessary to graft the vines due to the fact that the volcanic soil lacks clay and has prevented the spread of the root louse, phylloxera.<\/p>\n

Wine Styles of Assyrtiko<\/h2>\n

Assyrtiko grapes contain high acidity even when picked ripe, which makes the grape a great option for making dry, crisp single varietal wines or picking later in the harvest season to increase sugars and make sweeter wines.<\/p>\n

Assyrtiko can be made into various styles of wine and can even be blended with other white grapes. Usual blending partners include the Greek grapes, Athiri and Aidani, or other grapes such as Sauvignon Blanc, S\u00e9millon, and Malagousia. As a single varietal, Assyrtiko wines are usually clean, crisp, with high acidity.<\/p>\n

\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Learn About Unique Grape Varieties and Wine Regions to Visit with the Free Winetraveler App<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\n

If a winemaker chooses to age the wines in oak, the wines may be labeled \u201cNykteri,\u201d which means the grapes are picked at night to avoid the heat of the day, vinified in oak or steel, but then they must be aged in oak for a minimum of three months. This method produces a bone-dry wine with high acidity but a fuller body than an Assyrtiko not aged in wood. When made into the sweet \u201cVinsanto\u201d wine, Assyrtiko is picked as a late-harvest grape and must make up at least 51% of the blend. Vinsanto wines can have aromas and flavors of dried fruits like apricots, and sweet spices, and this style still maintains the minerality and acidity of other drier Assyrtiko wines.<\/p>\n

Assyrtiko Food Pairings<\/h2>\n

Because of the grape\u2019s naturally high acidity, Assyrtiko wines are an excellent pairing for food. Seafood dishes are common pairings as the wine does exceptionally well with grilled fish, oysters, shellfish, and even Mediterranean tomato-based dishes. In this case, the food and wine pairing rule of \u201cwhat grows together, goes together\u201d reigns supreme as the island classics of Santorini will lead the way as the best food pairings with this wine.<\/p>\n

Learn About These Other Wine Grape Varieties<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Cabernet Sauvignon<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Chardonnay<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Chenin Blanc<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Cinsault<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Grenache<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Malbec<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Marsanne<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Nebbiolo<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Petit Verdot<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Grigio<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Pinot Meunier<\/a><\/strong><\/div>\n
Riesling<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Tannat<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
Teroldego<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n

Written By Jacqueline Coleman<\/strong><\/p>\n

Jacqueline Coleman is a professional wine + travel writer, wine judge, columnist, and consultant based in Miami, FL.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Get Articles Like These Directly in Your Inbox!<\/h2>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Subscribe to Winetraveler and receive notifications when new articles are published. It's free!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t