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750ml
Bottle:
$17.93
12 bottles:
$17.57
Intense, with refreshing acidity and firm structure, Assyrtiko is a wine ideal for food pairings: fish fillet roasted...
750ml
Bottle:
$15.94
12 bottles:
$15.62
A light- to medium-bodied red, with spice and herb accents lacing baked black plum, smoke and black licorice flavors...
750ml
Bottle:
$23.90
12 bottles:
$23.42
Rare aromatic complexity with intense tannin structure and robust acidity. An excellent pair for red meat and game.
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$16.25
White color with golden highlights. Aromas of ripe citrus and stone fruits with hints of herbs. Full body and acidity...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$25.01
Light golden color with white-yellow highlights. Elegant floral nose with citrus and almond blossoms. Aromas of...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$14.25
Attractive pale-yellow hue with green tints, a sign of the wine’s youth. The seductively fresh and fruity nose...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$14.25
Attractive pale-yellow hue with green tints, a sign of the wine’s youth. The seductively fresh and fruity nose...
750ml
Bottle:
$20.94
12 bottles:
$20.52
From Bien Nacido in Santa Maria, this is a crisp, mineral driven wine with captivating brininess. Made for shucking...
750ml
Bottle:
$16.94
12 bottles:
$16.60
From the westernmost edge of the Loire Valley, where the Loire River meets the Atlantic Ocean, comes our savory and...
750ml
Bottle:
$17.49
12 bottles:
$15.83
MONOGRAPH ASSYRTIKO captures a multileveled manner, which can be achieved with this Greek variety, when it is...
750ml
Bottle:
$23.94
6 bottles:
$23.46
The limestone soil and the unique microclimate of the region produces wine with a very clean and crisp profile with...
750ml
Bottle:
$28.99
12 bottles:
$28.42
100% Assyrtiko grown in volcanic soils in the villages of Pyrgos and Imerovigli. Vines are 40-60 years old, grown on...
750ml
Bottle:
$45.60
Dry and minerally, with a streak of salinity driving subtle notes of crunchy white peach, lemon thyme and slivered...
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$43.64
Matured 18 months in traditional underground vats, the 2021 Clos des Bouquinardières reveals an abundance of herbs,...
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$46.61
Matured 18 months in traditional underground vats, the 2021 Clos des Bouquinardières reveals an abundance of herbs,...
Assyrtiko Melon de Bourgogne Xinomavro
Cultivated since at least the middle of the Byzantine era, the Assyrtiko grape is generally considered to be one the finest of the Greek grape varietals, as a result of its multi-purpose properties and ability to flourish on a wide range of terrains. The ancient Byzantines used it in conjunction with Aidani and Athiri grapes for the production of their unusual and naturally sweet Vinsanto wines, which are still produced today in Santorini, and continue to be popular. However, the Assyrtiko grapes are used for many different AOC wines across Greece, and are favored by wine makers who want to maintain a dryness and acidic punch to their produce.
The Assyrtiko grapes are renowned for their ability to maintain their acidity as they ripen beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun, resulting in wines which have a distinctive dryness and a range of citrus fruit aromas, as well as great structure and high tannins. Often, Assyrtiko grapes will produce wines which leave an unusual after-taste reminiscent of the mineral rich, volcanic soils they are grown in on the slopes of Santorini, making them a favorite for wine drinkers looking for something full of character and interesting attributes. The past twenty five years have seen Assyrtiko vines planted all over the Greek mainland, and even in Attica and Macedonia, where the softer terrain often produces more fruit forward wines with a milder, less astringent character. However, wherever this fine grape varietal is grown, it is rare the results will be anything less than excellent.
Additional Information on Greek Wines
Greek Wines
Ancient Greek Wines – A Brief History of Wine in Greece
The Myth of Dionysus, Greek God of Wine
What is Retsina?
One of the more unusual French grape varietals, Melon de Bourgogne has been grown in and around the Loire Valley for several hundred years. In fact, this grape was first planted in the Loire region of Pays Nantais back in the mid 17th century, after a devastating frost decimated most of the red grapes which were typical in the area. The winemakers of Pays Nantais were keen to cultivate vines which were hardy, high yielding, and capable of surviving another such frost, and so turned their attention to Melon de Bourgogne for this very reason. The native home of the varietal is actually in Burgundy, where it is still grown to a lesser extent.
Because Melon de Bourgogne produces naturally heavy yields, the vintners of Pays Nantais go to great lengths to reduce the amount of fruit the vines bear. This allows the finest characteristics of the grape to come forward, and also opens up the opportunity for it to express the wonderful granite and schist soils in which the vines are grown. Melon de Bourgogne is a minerally white wine grape varietal, with a very subtle set of fruit flavors. It is prized for its freshness and brightness, and is seeing a revival in the twenty first century as an excellent wine for pairing with a wide range of foods.
Xinomavro is the predominant grape varietal of Macedonia, although it is also grown in many parts of Greece where the climatic conditions are suitable for this particular fruit. The names translates as 'acid black', which gives some clue as to the nature of this varietal. The grapes are renowned for their high tannin content, which is a result of the thick and blue-black skins found on the fruit. This particular characteristic results in a superb aging potential in wines made from the Xinomavro varietal, as time spent in barrels softens these strong, astringent tannins and allows the full range of their flavors to come through in the wine. Most commonly, Xinomavro grapes are associated with aromas of red gooseberry, spices, olives and dried fruit, such as dried tomato.