The Wines of Greece: Santorini and Assyrtiko

Philippines wine supplier Manila wine shop discusses wine by the grape variety Assyrtiko.

October 22, 2010

“The Wines of Greece: Santorini and Assyrtiko” is the theme of a comprehensive 15 page report that has just been released by The International Wine Review . They publish bi-monthly reports that are available by subscription only, a six-month online subscription (3 reports) is offered for $ 25.00 and includes access to all previous reports. A total of 19 reports have been published up to date. A future report that will focus on four Greek indigenous varietals – Agiorgitiko, Xinomavro, Moschofilero, and Assyrtiko, is scheduled for 2010.

The report is based on first-hand experience; the publisher visited the island and met with many of the growers. One fact that immediately caught my attention is the high level of due diligence that took place: Sofia Perpera and George Athanis contributed to the report. Sofia Sigala , Iliana Sidiropoulos  and other winemakers from Santorini provided information. Konstantinos Lazarakis MW and Angelos Noulas read and commented on drafts of the report. This clearly shows that the report has been carefully drafted and is a viable source of information.

After a short but solid introduction, the reader is presented with the history of the island. This section might appeal only to those that wish to find out who ruled Santorini during different periods of time, but I learned some interesting facts that I was not yet aware of.

The next part covers the soil, climate and vineyards of the island. This is a must read for everyone who likes to get a better sense of why the wines of Santorini are so unique. Relaying many facts in just more than one page can easily make for an uneasy reading experience, but here, the words just flow. I enjoyed reading this part a lot.

In the following few segments, the input of the “insiders” really shows. The segment on viticulture includes paragraphs on vine pruning, pests and diseases. Details about yields and vine density, and the growers strive to experiment with the cultivation of grapes are well researched. The unique pruning and training systems are explained, and the problem of weeds is pointed out. The most important grape varieties are also discussed in a short and to the point style.

In the winemaking section the typical harvest times for the main varieties are given. Every wine geek will love the detailed description of the fermentation and yeasts. This was actually my favourite part. Different options for oak treatment that the growers are experimenting with are pointed out. The aging potential for Assyrtiko wines is discussed and backed up by personal tasting notes taken at a symposium in Santorini. And of course a section on how Vinsanto is made is not missing.

Next comes a piece on pairing Assyrtiko with food. The Sommelier of the Zaytinya Restaurant in Washington picks a handful of food groups to go with this wine. The choices did not surprise me, as I often enjoy Assyrtiko with similar dishes, but anyone should go along with the recommendations and try the suggested pairings. Two recipes are also included.

A discussion of the future for Santorini and Assyrtiko rounds up the main part of the report and asks the question if tourism and winegrowing can continue to exist side by side.

The last pages of the report introduce the main wineries of the island and include tasting notes and ratings on different wines for each estate. This section is geared towards US subscribers and does list the various importers through which the wines can be purchased in the US.

Source: http://www.elloinos.com/reviews/review-of-the-wines-of-greece

This wine shop in Manila Philippines makes wine shopping a really rewarding and exciting exercise.  Wine shops in Pampanga should always have an element of surprise so that customers and wine lovers can enjoy a little bit of thrill when they go to a wine shop in Manila to look for a good bottle of wine in Clark Pampanga.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia.  The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines.   Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux.  Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

Family outings, picnics, company outings and other events for up to 300 can be held in the picnic grounds of this wine shop.  Events that have been successfully organized here include family fun days and BBQ picnics.  These are some of the things that visitors to Clark Philippines particular look forward.  Residents and tourists in Angeles City and Subic also come to Clark Freeport to partake in the fun at this Clark wine shop.

This wine shop’s vast selection of vintage wines makes it possible for Yats Wine Cellars to offer a unique line-up of wines for every private wine party, wine tasting or wine dinners.  Guests of these private wine parties are treated to a rare experience of vintage wine not seen in wine shops in major cities in Philippines or even in Asia.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila

Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple:  after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave.  From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City.  From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Clark Wine Center

Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building

Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,

Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars

Manila Sales Office

3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,

Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

(632) 637-5019   0917-520-4393  ask for Rea or Chay