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
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Founded in 1919, Domaine Papagiannakos is located in the Attica region of Central Greece, just 18 miles from Athens. Today, the winery is run by the 3rd generation, Vassilis Papagiannakos, who has issued a new era of modern winemaking while still maintaining the family’s dedication to cultivating and preserving the region’s most famous indigenous grape, Savatiano. In addition the Domaine has plant Malagousia and Assyrtiko. The Assyrtiko vineyards are located in northeastern Attica at an altitude of 330 feet. The vineyard has a northeastern facing exposure. The vineyard is farmed without irrigation, resulting in low-yielding vines that produce grapes with rich, concentrated fruit flavors. The limestone soil and the unique microclimate of the region produces wine with a very clean and crisp profile with citrus and white flesh aromas.The acidity is very well integrated into the wine and gives the ability for long aging. With aging the wine develops a beautiful mineral character. The refreshing character of the wine makes it an ideal accompaniment for seafood, fish, white meat, and Mediterranean cuisine. -
Anyone that has been to Greece or has interest in wines have come by the grape Assyrtiko . In the last few years, wines from Greece, in particularly this indigenous grape, have gotten the status as a world-class wine and prices have begun to rise especially from the Santorini region. This Vegan Assyrtiko from the Lyrarakis estate is one of them and it is still in the affordable range and fortunately, your everyday Assyrtiko needs can still be catered for. Being from east Crete rather than Santorini means prices are still competitive. Think down the lines of getting a wine from the Touraine region rather than the heart of the Loire Valley. Lyrarakis on Crete are a brilliant winery with a focus on indigenous Greek varieties. Their rendition of Assyrtiko is broader and more approachable than some of the tightly-wound examples on Santorini, but it's no less drinkable for that. It is in fact an ideal place to grow the white grape Assyrtiko. Both the Mediterranean breezes and the altitude of the Lyrarakis vineyards allows the grapes to have a much longer ripening period, preserving the grapes aromatics and acidity resulting in a wine with wonderful floral freshness, crisp citrus notes and a delicate mineral finish. Yamas!