Gaia Wines 'Monograph Assyrtiko', Peloponnese

A flinty and aromatic Assyrtiko with intense citrus fruit, tropical fruits and a touch of honeysuckle, precise, fresh and zesty with a mineral backbone and lovely, saline finish.

Producer Note

One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution Gaia Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. Operating two different wineries they make cutting edge wines in both Nemea and Santorini. Gaia's main aim is to present the potential of the indigenous Greek grape varieties to wine enthusiasts worldwide.

Vineyard

The Assyrtiko grapes are grown in the in semi-mountainous limestone soils of Koutsi of Nemea. The soils are rich in calcium carbonate with relatively neutral pH, and like most limestone soils in Greece they have low organic matter content. The 15-year old vines are planted at 600 metres altitude with a south-westerly orientation where the Assyrtiko vines flourish in the free- draining soils. The winters are relatively cold and wet, with temperatures that rarely fall below 0°C. Summers are hot, but without excessive temperatures, however, a few thunderstorms in June are common. A long autumn follows and the warm days and cool nights of September combined with typically dry conditions, form ideal conditions for the maturation of the grapes. The vineyard is carefully pruned very strictly to reduce the yields in order to produce fruit with concentrated flavours.

Winemaking

The carefully selected grapes were chilled to 4°C before being de-stemmed and gently pressed. The must was fermented with selected yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks, to retain the purity of fruit. The wine was made without any oak influence to preserve the fresh and varietal characteristics of the Assyrtiko grapes and the distinctive expression of the Nemea terroir.

Tasting Note

A youthful and refreshing Assyrtiko, with lifted citrus fruits, exuberant tropical fruits and a touch of honeysuckle. Fresh and zesty with a mineral backbone and lovely, crisp finish.

Grape

Assyrtiko 100%