2008 Santorini

2008 Sigalas Assyrtiko, AOQS Santorini

Sigalas is a big time producer of assyrtiko, on the Greek island of Santorini. This varietal fascinates me. So interesting, so different. Think Chablis, but with perhaps a bit more body. The miracle of this grape has to be the high acid, and the relatively controlled alcohol. When you think of a brutal Mediterranean climate like Greece, refined white wines don't come to mind. Much more palatable than that nonsense the Greeks try to pass off as red wine.

This wine has all the minerality, the creamy citrus, and the waxy, viscous texture I want. Showing a lot of bitter lemon zest on the finish, as well as some alcohol, but this is still very young. Another bottle, squirrelled away.

DF

2008 Mantinia

2008 Semeli Nasiakos, ACQS Mantinia

It's the summer of drinking so much white wine that's causing me to search for whites, even in the middle of winter. And Greek wines are definitely bottles that everyone should look out for. A wine from the Greek island of Peloponessos, of the Mantinia region. This area produces white wines from an indigenous varietal, Moschofilero, that I went crazy for a few months ago.

This wine has all the fresh bright fruit I look for, with a weight and texture that I think makes it perfect for food, and winter. High acidity balances it all out, and tames the overt fruit characters that this variety has. Tropical, but with a presence - does that make sense? Very drinkable indeed.

DF

2008 Santorini

2008 Boutari Assyrtiko, AOQS Santorini

I've read too much about Greek white wines, specifically assyrtiko, to not be moved to snatch this up. This is only the second Greek white wine I've seen this year released by the LCBO, the first being a delicious moschofilero, and from the same producer (drunk twice).

Santorini is a volcanic island, in the Aegean. Assyrtiko is the primary varietal grown on these volcanic soils, and what's most interesting is that they are mostly ungrafted. The vines crawl low over the island, and vineyards look nothing like the neatly plowed and trellised vineyards we're used to. The miracle of this variety is the acidity it can achieve - in such an unforgivingly hot climate, the wines have a balance that's quite remarkable.

Decanted. Light colour in the glass, but it does have gold flecks. The nose is wonderfully minerally, with a fresh citrus aroma. Eerily reminiscent of a Niagara riesling, with the somewhat musky, oily minerality. The mouth shows the richness of the volcanic soils - creamy and buttery almost, but with a refreshingly bitter, cleansing finish. Delicious.

I would drink this over any $30+ Californian chardonnay.

DF

2008 Mantinia

2008 Boutari Moschofilero, ACQS Mantinia

The second wine of the night. Or evening I should say.

Light straw in colour - almost changes a few shades as you go towards the rim. Good, fruit-forward nose. Lots of waxy fruit, melon, pear, and honey. In the palate, there is good texture, with a weight and creaminess that you don't expect. Glossy. Good length on the finish.

Greek white wines are a subject area that I definitely want to explore further.

2008 Mantinia

2008 Boutari Moschofilero, ACQS Mantinia

I love discovering new wines from new regions, and this certainly satisifies. A Greek white wine! I've been hearing so much about the fantastic quality of whites coming out of the Greek islands that I jumped at the chance for this bottle.

Moschofilero is a grape variety indigenous to Greece. A pink-skinned grape, it shares characteristics with muscat. Grown on the Peloponessian islands, in the region of Mantinia, this grape is known to be aromatic with high acidity.

This wine has a light straw colour, quite similar in appearance to sauvignon. Let's not forget how young it is, and the fact that it touches no new oak. Lots of fresh fruit on the nose - juicy melon, citrus and spice. Very fragrant, and quite unlike anything I've come across. On the palate, there is lots of fruit, on a creamy texture. Lovely balance and high acidity. Finishes with an explosion of apricots and sweet honeydew. Long finish.

Very impressive indeed. This wine has all the balance and ripeness I'm looking for in a white wine, with the texture that makes it delightful on its own. Delicious, and very unique. I'm very impressed, and eagar to try more wines from this part of the world. Bravo!