Winemaker Notes
Aromas of citrus, lemon, pear and peach accompany the typical saltiness and minerality of Assyrtiko. Full body with high acidity and long aftertaste.
Pair with fish, clams, seafood and white meat
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
In its distinctive blue bottle that you see served at restaurants all over the island, the Gavalas 2023 Santorini is 100% Assyrtiko sourced mostly from Pyrgos, Megalochori and Akrotiri. It is inoculated with neutral commercial yeasts for steady results. "Assyrtiko is not an aromatic variety, so we focus mainly on mouthfeel," says fifth-generation vintner Vangelis Gavalas.
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.
