Assyrtiko

Infobox grape variety
name = Assyrtiko

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caption =
species =
also_called =
origin = Santorini
hazards =
regions = Greece
notable_wines = Vin Santo

Assyrtiko or Asyrtiko is a white Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini. Assyrtiko is widely planted in the arid volcanic-ash-rich soil of Santorini and other Aegean islands, such as Paros. It is also found on other scattered regions of Greece such as Chalkidiki. J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 37 Oxford University Press 2006 ISBN 0198609906 ] Throughout Greece, the average age of the vines is 70 years with many vines dating back 150 years or more. Assyrtiko has so far shown resistance to Phylloxera which has consequently meant that the vines haven't needed to be replaced by phylloxera-resistant rootstock.

Wine style

The mineral profile of the grapes bodes well for blending and in recent times its has been blended often with Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon and Malagousia. Assyrtiko grapes clusters are large, with transparent yellow-gold skin and juicy flesh. In the volcanic soil of Santorini, there appear to be some unique characteristics that develop in the grape variety, and therefore in the wine. One of these characteristics is that Assyrtiko does not lose its acidity even if it is very ripe. Throughout Greece, the grape is vinified to make a variety of dry and sweet wines, including Vinsanto-like musky and syrup-sweet dessert wines. In Retsina, it is often blended with the less-acidic Savatiano grape. J. Robinson "Vines, Grapes & Wines" pg 261 Mitchell Beazley 1986 ISBN 1857329996 ]

References

External links

* [http://www.greekwinemakers.com/czone/varieties/whitevar.shtml Chief Greek white wine varietals]