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750ml
Bottle:
$53.95
The bold aroma suggests sarsaparilla and allspice underlined by maple sugar. The sweet-spiced palate resounds with...
750ml
Bottle:
$16.93
12 bottles:
$16.59
Intense, with refreshing acidity and firm structure, Assyrtiko is a wine ideal for food pairings: fish fillet roasted...
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:
$24.00
Light golden color with white-yellow highlights. Elegant floral nose with citrus and almond blossoms. Aromas of...
750ml
Bottle:
$102.22
$107.60
A rich and concentrated nose is full of baking spices, baked fruit and soft vanilla cookies. The elegant flavors...
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:
$21.94
6 bottles:
$21.50
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...
![Vassaltis Santorini [100% Assyrtiko] 2022 750ml](https://www.saratogawine.com/files/images/cached_thumbs/b1/b140cc15e6136e758452044b3a4ad63f.jpg){kind=small}
750ml
Bottle:
$43.32
$45.60
Dry and minerally, with a streak of salinity driving subtle notes of crunchy white peach, lemon thyme and slivered...
375ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$321.37
Armagnac Assyrtiko Counoise Ice Wine
Armagnac is a beloved grape brandy, hailing from the beautiful French region of Gascony, in the south-west of the country. It has been in constant production since sometime just before the fifteenth century, and over the decades has been the toast of royal households across Europe. Today, it is still enjoyed for its unique flavor profile and characteristics, and although it is understandably compared with Cognac, its more famous cousin, lovers of Armagnac claim that its distinctive rusticity and full body make it a superior brandy, perfect as a digestif or as an evening treat.
Armagnac is made from more than one grape varietal, but the major player in this drink is the fine Ugni Blanc grape, more commonly known by its Italian name, Trebbiano. This is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and grows beautifully in Gascony, which has a similar microclimate as its neighbouring wine region, Bordeaux. Armagnac grapes reveal fascinating and complex flavors after distillation, which commonly include christmas cake, earthy, oaky notes and praline.
Armagnac is sold under two categories - vintage, and non-vintage. A vintage Armagnac is made from a blend of grapes which have been grown in a single year, and will have the date printed on the label. Non-vintage Armagnacs, on the other hand, are labelled according to their age. V.S indicates that the brandy has been aged for a minimum of two years, VSOP for four years, XO six years, and Hors d’Age is a premium Armagnac which has been aged for at least ten years.
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?