The picturesque Greek island of Santorini is world-famous for its limpid, turquoise waters, its breathtaking views, its white-washed villages perched atop vertiginous cliffs, and its volcano, which has shaped the island?s history in dramatic ways.
But there?s another thing Santorini boasts: a noble white grape known as Assyrtiko ? a grape as distinct as the island that hosts it.
To say that growing conditions in Santorini are good for vines would be an understatement; they are, in fact, ideal. Volcanic, porous soil that is, to this day, phylloxera-free; an unsurpassed amount of sunshine during the growing season; sea mists that are the only moisture the vines get all summer long; low-yielding root stocks, some more than 80 years old ? these are some of the unique conditions that help create rare and precious wines.
There are several wineries on the island and Gai?A Wines is one of the most respected. Co-owner Yiannis Paraskevopoulos, one of Greece?s leading winemakers, has gained international acclaim in the last few years. When you taste his wines you?ll instantly understand why.
Gai?A is well known for their stunning Assyrtikos. Since 1994 the winery has been producing their signature Thalassitis and Thalassitis Oak Fermented with great success. But today it is a more recent experiment ? Gai?A?s Assyrtiko Wild Ferment ? that I want to showcase. As the name suggests, instead of using commercial yeast to ferment the wine, Paraskevopoulos uses strictly wild yeast ? yeast that lives naturally on the skin of the grapes and in the vineyard.
To make the Wild Ferment?s journey to your glass even more interesting, the wine is aged in a combination of barrels: acacia, French oak and American oak. The result is a wine that is marvelously complex, luscious, deep? and yes, wild!
Gai?A Wines ? Assyrtiko, Wild Ferment 2011
Producer: Gai?A Wines
?Region: Santorini PDO?
Grapes: Assyrtiko
?Alc: 13%?
Price: $24
?Serve lightly chilled
Cellar until 2015
On the nose, the Assyrtiko Wild Ferment is vivacious, making your nostrils tingle. Aromas of citrus, petrol (reminiscent of German Riesling) and herbs literally burst out of the glass, all cloaked by a minerality that evokes a sea breeze.
At first sip, you feel as if you?ve just bitten into a briny green olive ? mineral, salty and crisp, the wine instantly makes your mouth salivate. Then a myriad of flavors swell in your mouth: citrus peel, herbal notes reminiscent of fennel, bitter almonds, volcanic pumice, white pepper and even a hint of honey. The wine is fabulously complex, deep, luscious and round ? in one word, succulent!
In the process of pairing a wine with food, a bottle can end up being open for a couple of days. This one was no exception. Yet after tasting the same bottle for more than three days (storing it properly, of course), I was astounded to discover the Wild Ferment had lost none of its vibrancy and complexity ? truly a testament to the quality of this exquisite wine!
Seafood, olives, salty cheeses would all be excellent pairings, but I decided to serve the Wild Ferment with this mizuna and cucumber salad with red onions, feta, tarragon and Champagne vinaigrette. The salty minerality so prevalent in the wine was brilliant with the feta. The white pepper spice stood up to the spunky mizuna. The herbal elements sang along with the tarragon, while the vibrant acidity of the wine went hand-in-hand with the Champagne vinaigrette.
Drinking the Assyrtiko on its own is immensely pleasurable, but taking bites of the salad in between sips makes you pause and savor.
To me, this is the mark of a great wine. It entices you to taste food in a completely new way.
Gai?A Wines? Assyrtiko Wild Ferment is one of the most exciting white wines I?ve ever had. I hope Yiannis Paraskevopoulos continues his experiment for many years to come. Even though the wild yeast will make every vintage unpredictable, I know with certainty that the wines will be outstanding nonetheless.
You can purchase Gai?A Wines Assyrtiko Wild Ferment 2011 at Astor Wines. They ship to most states in the US.
Recipe: Mizuna and cucumber salad with red onions, feta, tarragon and Champagne vinaigrette
Disclaimer: As always, my point of view is my own. I do not accept samples, and have no commercial relationship with any product, food or wine company.
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