Winemaker Notes
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.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Here is a fun expression of Athens Assyrtiko from the PGI Markopoulo zone. The Papagiannakos 2024 Assyrtiko delivers bright citrus aromas and crushed limestone with hints of lemon custard and almond paste. Fresh and accessible from the outset, it offers the vibrant acidity and mineral backbone that define the variety while remaining more fruit-forward and approachable than many of its island counterparts. There is plenty of freshness and structure here, with enough mid-palate substance to carry the wine through a crisp, energetic finish. At a fraction of the price of many Santorini bottlings, this is a terrific value and a convincing reminder of Assyrtiko's potential on the mainland.
A crisp white variety full of zippy acidity, Assyrtiko comes from the volcanic Greek island of Santorini but is grown increasingly wide throughout the country today. Assyrtiko’s popularity isn’t hard to explain: it retains its acid and mineral profile in a hot climate, stands alone or blends well with other grapes and can also withstand some age. Somm Secret—On the fairly barren, windswept Mediterranean island of Santorini, Assyrtiko vines must be cultivated in low baskets, pinned to the ground. The shape serves to preserve moisture and protect the growing grapes in its interior.
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.