Heliopoulos Vineyards Santorini 2004
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2003-
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Heliopoulos Vineyards, owned by Antonis Heliopoulos, consists of 17 acres. They are located 28-165 feet above sea level on slopes adjacent to the town of Megalohori, which is in the center of the island, and to Heliopoulos’ small luxury hotel, Vedema Resort. The name Vedema, which means harvest in Venetian Italian, is very appropriate in consideration of the hotel’s location and how its architectural structure encompasses the underground cellars that have been in existence for centuries. It was in 1995 that Heliopoulos transformed his family summer resort to a hotel and decided in time to produce wine for the hotel. Shortly thereafter, Heliopoulos Santorini had national distribution and since 2001, international distribution. Today, the wine world appreciates the exceptional wines Heliopoulos consistently produces each year. Heliopoulos is passionate about his wine. While Heliopoulos is primarily an hotelier, his commitment to his vineyard is unquestionable and in producing superb wine making him a serious and well-respected winemaker.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
A picturesque Mediterranean nation with a rich wine culture dating back to ancient times, Greece has so much more to offer than just retsina. Between the mainland and the country’s many islands, a wealth of Greek wine styles exists, made mostly from Greece’s plentiful indigenous varieties. After centuries of adversity after Ottoman rule, the modern Greek wine industry took off in the late 20th century with an influx of newly trained winemakers and investments in winemaking technology.
The climate—generally hot Mediterranean—can vary a bit with latitude and elevation, and is mostly moderated by cool maritime breezes. Drought can be an issue for Greek wine during the long, dry summers, sometimes necessitating irrigation.
Over 300 indigenous grapes have been identified throughout Greece, and though not all of them are suitable for wine production, future decades will likely see a significant revival and refinement of many of these native Greek wine varieties. Assyrtiko, the crisp, saline Greek wine variety of the island of Santorini, is one of the most important and popular white wine varieties, alongside Roditis, Robola, Moschofilero, and Malagousia. Muscat is also widely grown for both sweet and dry wines. Prominent red wine varieties include full-bodied and fruity Agiorghitiko, native to Nemea; Macedonia’s savory, tannic Xinomavro; and Mavrodaphne, used commonly to produce a Port-like fortified wine in the Peloponnese.