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750ml
Bottle:
$53.58
$56.40
6 bottles:
$52.80
In the city that never sleeps, the diner is an institution. Short Stack is our toast to those late-night haunts, and...
![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...
750ml
Bottle:
$13.90
$15.00
The NV Lambrusco Marchese Manodori Reggiano is darkly floral in the glass, showing crushed violets and lavender that...
750ml
Bottle:
$16.25
12 bottles:
$15.93
Elegant and juicy nose of black cherry and raspberry. Good freshness, nice texture and long aftertaste. (Bronze) -...
750ml
Bottle:
$369.82
$389.28
3 bottles:
$356.40
Named “double malt” because in addition to 79% (unmalted) Canadian rye, this bottling also is made with 15%...
750ml
Bottle:
$62.70
$66.00
This rye is complex and palate-coating, especially with a dose of water added. Each sip opens with honey, coconut and...
750ml
Bottle:
$145.67
NOSE: Caramel, vanilla, and winter fruit PALATE: Rye spice, apricots, plums, raisins, dates, and honey FINISH: Dark...
750ml
Bottle:
$43.64
TOP 100 SPIRITS 2019. A honey hue and rich vanilla aroma mark this six-year-old rye whiskey. The palate nods to its...
750ml
Bottle:
$48.94
$54.94
A honey hue and rich vanilla aroma mark this six-year-old rye whiskey. The palate nods to its 100% rye grain mash...
1.0Ltr
Bottle:
$399.94
Inspired by a 19th century, antique bitter pig decanter, our annual PiggyBank Edition of WhistlePig Small Batch Rye...
375ml
Bottle:
$42.36
12 bottles:
$38.30
First, a warning: this is only for those who like their rye big and brawny. It starts off innocuously with a...
750ml
Bottle:
$72.83
First, a warning: this is only for those who like their rye big and brawny. It starts off innocuously with a...
750ml
Bottle:
$284.08
3 bottles:
$280.00
This remarkably complex sipper leads with caramel and vanilla, then reverberates with rounded dried fruit, sherry and...
750ml
Bottle:
$49.47
$52.07
6 bottles:
$44.15
This rye is aged with applewood staves in a barrel that previously held bourbon. The end result is pleasing maple and...
750ml
Bottle:
$66.48
6 bottles:
$59.52
This strong rye whiskey offers bold aromas of lightly toasted grains, fresh oats, and stewed orchard fruits. There is...
750ml
Bottle:
$30.03
$34.32
Excellent, Highly Recommended - 2020 ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGE
750ml
Bottle:
$54.95
$57.84
6 bottles:
$50.88
750ml
Bottle:
$44.29
$46.62
6 bottles:
$39.01
TOP 100 SPIRITS 2022. This offers a classic rye profile. The rich vanilla fragrance leads to a relatively lean flavor...
750ml
Bottle:
$35.91
$37.80
Peach, blueberry, candied raspberry, and lime lead the way, with marzipan and a background of peppery spice aromas...
Assyrtiko Ice Wine Lambrusco Rye Whiskey
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?
Some grape species are distinct and unique varietals, clearly separate from each of their cousins. Others, like Lambrusco and Muscat, are more like umbrella terms, featuring several subspecies which show slight differences from each other from region to region. Indeed, there are astonishingly more than 60 identified varieties of Lambrusco vines, and they are almost all used in the production of characterful Italian sparkling wines. They are distinguishable by their deep ruby blush, caused by strong pigments present in their skins, and their intensely perfumed character.
Lambrusco vines are grown in several Italian regions, although we most closely associate this varietal with Piedmont and Basilicata. It has also been grown successfully in Argentina and Australia. The varietal suffered from a fairly lowly reputation in the late 20th century, due to bulk, low cost production of Lambrusco sparkling wines, aimed at markets across northern Europe and America. However, things are rapidly changing, and the older, more traditional methods of bottle fermentation are returning, along with a higher level of quality and expression, as consumers become more discerning and demanding. Many of the Lambrusco sub-varieties have their own established DOC, such as Lambrusco Salamino di Santa Croce, Lambrusco di Sorbara and Modena, where new regulations are keeping standards high and methods traditional.
Rye Whiskey is enjoying something of a renaissance of late, with sales rocketing in recent years thanks to a growing interest in strong, unique flavors, and small, independent distilleries. Rye Whiskey is a drink which is all about powerful, bold flavors, with plenty of spice and bitterness when drunk young. Aged, however, it takes on a deep set of subtle notes which are beautifully mellow and complex, and becomes a fascinating example of what whiskey can be when made with expert hands.
In order for an American Whiskey to be labeled a Rye Whiskey, it must have a mash content which is no less than fifty one percent rye. This separates it from Bourbon, and it is this which gives it its distinctive flavor and spiciness. Toffee, cinnamon, caraway, cloves and oak are typical tasting notes, and ‘straight rye’ whiskies - which are aged in charred oak barrels - take on plenty of the smokiness of the wood, adding a further, fascinating facet.
Rye Whiskey has its spiritual home in the northeastern states of Pennsylvania and Maryland, and cities like Pittsburgh produced vast quantities of Rye Whiskey in the 18th and 19th centuries. Most the old distilleries were closed during the prohibition era, after which time rye whiskey more or less disappeared completely, but the twenty-first century is seeing old recipes being resurrected and released to rave reviews.