Gai’a Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2022, Santorini

Gai’a Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2022, Santorini, Greece
13.5% €36.95

I did a tasting for the local parish recently and mentioned during my talk that the above wine was one of my favourites. The following day, as a thank you, I received a bottle! We tasted the Gai’a Rosé on the night which went down very well. It is available for €13.95 from O’Briens, a great price.

Bright white flowers with a touch of grilled nuts on the nose. Racy, intense lemon zest and salty minerals, crisp white fruits, hints of toasty oak and a lip-smacking dry finish. Utterly gorgeous dry white wine, perfect for summer drinking with shellfish.

Assyrtiko from Santorini is currently enjoying a moment. The region is utterly unique, with volcanic soils planted with ‘koulkura’ or basket trained vines giving protection from the constant winds. There is very little rain, lots of sea mist and plenty of sunshine.

The Gai’a Assyrtiko Wild Ferment is left on the skins for ten hours before being fermented, using wild yeasts, in a mix of stainless-steel tanks, new and old French, American and acacia barrels.

Available from O’Briens.