SantoWines Nykteri Santorini White Blend – Wines From Santorini

80% Assyrtico and a 20% blend of Athiri and Aidani from Santorini, Greece.

SRP of $18 and available for as low as $15. Sample received courtesy Wines From Santorini for review purposes.

From the bottle:

“By tradition, Santorini vintners harvest in the afternoon and vinify “Nykteri” during the night. “Nykteri” is the word for “staying up all night” in the local language. Assyrtico, Athiri, Aidani and the 3-month maturation in barrels give us pure aromas of citrus fruits and spices. It is perfect with greek traditional dishes at 10° C.

14.0% Alcohol”

This is the first of two wines we’ll be reviewing from Santorini, Greece. Today’s wine is a “Nykteri” blend that must contain at least 75% Assyrtico. The balance comes from two ancient Greek varieties (Athiri and Aidani). Tomorrow’s wine will be a 100% Assyrtico.

Santorini is one of the oldest winemaking areas in the world, going all the way back to 3500 BC. A volcanic eruption in 1600 BC created the unique soil conditions of volcanic ash and lava that help to give wines from Santorini their unique character today. However, this isn’t the only thing unique about the island.

Santorini doesn’t get much rain each year, but the vines are able to survive thanks in part to the “sea fog” that covers the island each night. (This sea fog is produced by the active volcano reacting with the sea water). This sea mist is absorbed by the soil and is a major source of water for the vines. The vines also get covered in a salty spray from the mist that may help explain some of the minerality characteristic of wines from this area. All these remarkable conditions help to create a pretty unique and tasty wine.

The 2008 SantoWines Nykteri Santorini begins with aromas of citrus and flowers. The wine tastes of apples and citrus and has a really nice minerality. The medium-short finish features good acidity. Quite nice on its own and it could be really great with the right food (think traditional Greek fare).

See a listing of local retailers selling this wine here.