- Assyrtiko
Infobox grape variety
name = Assyrtiko
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 ofSantorini . Assyrtiko is widely planted in the arid volcanic-ash-rich soil of Santorini and other Aegean islands, such asParos . It is also found on other scattered regions ofGreece such asChalkidiki . 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 toPhylloxera which has consequently meant that the vines haven't needed to be replaced by phylloxera-resistantrootstock .Wine style
The
mineral profile of the grapes bodes well for blending and in recent times its has been blended often withSauvignon blanc ,Sémillon andMalagousia . 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 itsacidity even if it is very ripe. Throughout Greece, the grape is vinified to make a variety of dry and sweet wines, includingVinsanto -like musky and syrup-sweetdessert wine s. InRetsina , it is often blended with the less-acidicSavatiano 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]
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