Assyrtiko

Assyrtiko, top-quality white grape variety grown increasingly widely in greece. Its origins lie on the island of santorini but its ability to retain acidity in a hot climate has encouraged successful experimentation with it elsewhere, notably on the north-eastern mainland around Halkidiki. Its severe mineral profile has made it a successful blending partner for malagousia, Sauvignon Blanc, and Sémillon. Its wines can age relatively well. So obvious is its quality that by 2008 it was Greece’s third most-planted white wine vine with 1,704 ha/4,211 acres, and it has even been imported into Australia.