2023 Wild Ferment Assyrtiko, Gaia

This is probably the best Assyrtiko made in Greece and therefore anywhere!  A highly complex, aromatic nose and funky nose, with citrus notes combining with floral hints from the acacia wood, vanilla, toasty oak and a touch of smoke. The layers of wild ferment envelop this precise and dry wine which has a mineral and salty complexity to the tangy finish. This is a truly unique wine.

The Assyrtiko vineyard is located in Santorini and the terroir is recognised worldwide for its tremendous historical roots, as the vineyards in this area date back 3,000 years. The low-yielding, 80-year-old, self rooted vines are grown in soils that are poor in organic matter. The high sand content has ensured they have never been affected by phylloxera. The soils are also volcanic: porous with a high mineral content, which imparts the mineral quality to the wine. The long sunshine hours, lack of rainfall, sea mists and strong summer winds all contribute to the unique microclimate. The surrounding Aegean Sea acts as a “climatic buffer” that softens the climate, so the extreme conditions are reduced. The vines are trained on traditional basket-shaped systems called “kouloura”.