Assyrtiko-a distinctive Greek white

If you enjoy bone-dry, steely, vibrant white wines with some bracing acidity then this may well be the bottle for you. Assyrtiko is a Greek wine from the island of Santorini and has recently gained a lot of favorable attention. If you're not familiar with Greek wines then this white made with the distinctive Assyrtiko grape variety may well, for many people, provide an alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.

Apparently, over 80% of vines planted on the island of Santorini are planted to the variety, where it has become arguably one of the world’s most sought-after white wines.

Assyrtiko is definitely a first for me and if this bottle is anything to go by it won’t be my last. Everything I have heard and read about it tells me it’s a must to pair with any kind of seafood and after cooking up some fish and garlic prawns I’m happy to report that the wine was a match made in heaven.

So what’s it like? in a word steely, with the aroma of a sea breeze, it’s bright with bracing acidity, enough to make your eyes water but in a good way. Full of citrusy lemon and limes and bucket loads of minerality, there were some elements of tropical fruits even a waxy texture.

This really was a seriously complex wine for the price which at £9.99 (mix 6) in Majestic, in my Vino view is a real bargain. Nice enough as a stand-alone drink but comes into its own when paired with anything from the sea.

Highly recommended