#89 Assyrtiko – 411 grapes left

So I uncorked the wine and the nose was just great. Citric notes, minerality were all there.

WINE DETAILS:

Grape: Assyrtiko
Alcohol: 12.5%
Wine: ATMA
Vintage: 2019
Winery: Thymiopoulos Vineyards
PDO: Naoussa
Location: Trilofos, Naoussa, Greece
Date: 6/22/21
Distributor: StoneCold

Curious Synonyms: Arcytico, Assirtico, Assyrtico, Asurtico, and Asyrtiko

Nerd Alert: White Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini widely planted in the arid volcanic-ash-rich soil. Many old vine plantations (over 70 years of age) of Assyrtiko exist, of which many are non-grafted. These plantations have shown resistance to Phylloxera. Most of the wines made from this grape in other countries originate from the cuttings imported in the USA in 1948 by Harold Olmo, grape breeder at the University of California, Davis.

Personal Note: This is the second time I try this grape. Somehow I always expect greek wines to be harsher on my palate and every single time they prove me wrong. I need to do a thought overhaul. I knew this grape was available in the island, but recently a good friend started working on a new distributor and I saw his wines at the store. He’s focusing a lot on Greece. I needed this grape for the list, so I immediately picked it up and told myself, I’m going to cook and try this wine. And let me tell you, cook I did. Now let’s be clear. I wouldn’t make it past the first round against Bobby Flay’s 2nd assistant’s camera guy, but do I enjoy it.

So I uncorked the wine and the nose was just great. Citric notes, minerality were all there. There was some other fruit in there. I could taste its subtle, I don’t know, sweetness? No. That word would be confusing because this was a dry wine. Anyway I was happy. On palate the acidity like the notes said was there but it was so round on palate. It was so enjoyable I went through half a bottle in no time. I started with some crab vinagrette and later with my amazing pasta and it just fit. That’s the type of match that makes one happy.

Thoughts?

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*Sources for the wine facts are from: Wine Searcher, Wikipedia, Vivino, wine.com, and the wineries websites.

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