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Santorini Wines
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After the cataclysmic volcanic eruption, 1645 BC, the entire island of Santorini was covered by lava,
ash and pumice stone. But the disaster helped the soil to be perfect
for creating the distinctive wines of Santorini.
Grapes grow on the eastern
slopes of the caldera’s edge and produce great wines even if there
isn’t
any water during the growing season. Mysteriously, the vines “drink” the
water from moisture absorbed by the soil during the night, offering
the minimum amount of water the vines need to survive and grow fruit.
Because of the winds, the vines are trained to grow in a crown (a basket
that insures perfect conditions).
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The major wineries in Santorini are: Santo Wines (cultivated near Pyrgos), Antoniou Wines and Boutaris Wines (cultivated near Megalochori), Canava
Roussos (cultivated near Mesa Gonia) and Volcan Wines (cultivated near
Messaria).
The predominant grape in Santorini is Asyrtiko. It produces
dry and dessert Appellation wines. Asyrtiko is considered Greece’s
best white wine grape. It is traditionally blended with Aidani Aspro
and Athiri. The white wines are bone-dry carrying some aroma of citrus
combined with minerals and smoke from the volcanic soil. One of the dessert
wines is Visanto. It is naturally sweet or can be fortified but it’s
mandatory to be barrel-aged for at least two years. It carries a distinct
aroma of chocolate, crème brulee and dried apricots and is usually
low in alcohol. Mezzo is a less sweet version of Visanto. Though Santorin
is not known particularly for its red wines, the red cultivars Mandilariá and
Mavrotrágano are becoming more and more important in the premium
wine production.
Several wine genres originate in Santorini. Brousko dates back to 13th-16th
century (Venetian occupation of the island) and are traditionally dry
red, white or rose. They are pressed by foot and barrel –aged.
Asyrtiko is a varietal basis of Nykteri (who name mean “night
work).
Currently, Santorini’s high reputation in Greece
is based on dry wines produced from Asyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani Aspro.
The traditional wines remain White Roussos, Santo and Koutsogiannopoulos.
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Related pages about Greek Wines:
Read more about the Santorini Wines:
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