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Red
750ml
Bottle: $29.94
6 bottles: $29.34
Alto Adige is one of the few winegrowing areas of Italy with optimum conditions for Pinot Noir or Pinot Nero, which...
12 FREE
Red
750ml
Bottle: $31.94
12 bottles: $31.30
Attractive aromas of sour cherries, chocolate, dried blood orange and dry earth. Medium-bodied and crunchy with a...
12 FREE
JS
90
Red
750ml
Bottle: $26.40
12 bottles: $25.87
Here's a new discovery from the Mazon subregion that is closely associated with the cultivation of Pinot Nero. The...
WA
93
VM
92
Red
12 FREE
Red
750ml
Bottle: $31.05
6 bottles: $30.43
12 FREE
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $67.18 $70.72
The 2015 Gottardi Blauburgunder (Pinot Noir) Riserva is restrained at first yet deeply alluring, as dusty black...
12 FREE
VM
92
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $23.94
Light ruby-red in color with a garnet glow and intense bouquet of red berries and Marasca cherry with a tinge of...
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $26.95
Light ruby-red in color with a garnet glow and intense bouquet of red berries and Marasca cherry with a tinge of...
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $39.10
Light ruby-red in color with a garnet shimmer. Notes of red berries, cherries and spices. On the palate it is so and...
12 FREE
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $22.39 $24.88
12 bottles: $20.52
Bright, fresh aromatics of crunchy red berry, bruised plum and tarragon, palate of savoury herb and vibrant berry...
DC
92
JS
91
Sale
Red
750ml
Bottle: $18.24 $19.20
12 bottles: $17.10
Color: Garnet-red. Aroma: Aroma reminiscent of wild berries, raspberry and blackberry. Palate: Compact, elegant,...
Case only
Red
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle: $30.78
Bright, lively ruby red color. Fruity and elegant aromas of berries, raspberry and strawberry, with delicate spice....
Case only
Long-term Pre-Arrival
Red
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle: $54.95
Deep, complex nose with an entire spectrum of red and black fruit, plus delicate tobacco and truffle notes. So...
JS
95

Assyrtiko Pinot Noir White Bordeaux Italy Trentino/Alto Adige Alto Adige

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?

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.

France is widely known as being the home of many of the world's finest white wines, and within France, the name which rings out across the wine world and is always associated with excellence of quality and flavor is Bordeaux. The white wines of the magnificent Bordeaux region are typically blended, and rely on the winemaker's skill and expertise to achieve the fine balance between the primary grape varietals used. Most blended white Bordeaux wines are made up of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle varietals, although there are actually nine grapes officially allowed by French wine law for the inclusion in Bordeaux white wines. The other six are Sauvignon Gris, Merlot Blanc, Ugni Blanc, Colombard, Ondenc and Mauzac, although the use of these other grapes has been in steady decline over the past century.

There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.