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    You are here: Home » Food and Drink » Escape the cold with Santorini wines

    Escape the cold with Santorini wines

    January 22, 2016 By Mary 12 Comments

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    I’m craving somewhere warm.

    Santorini Greece Scenery

    Somewhere sunny.

    Pool in Santorini

    Somewhere where the blues are as blue as can be and the whites are as white as can be.

    Santorini Greece scenery
    Extreme-Whites-and-Blues-of-Santorini

    I know I know, I’m in Portland, it’s not like it’s “that” cold here.

    It could be worse. I could be braving the blizzard headed towards the east coast right now. Brr!

    But still. As I nurse my third cold of the season, sipping on lukewarm coffee, wearing wool socks, UGG boots and a sweater, I’m really really wishing I was here.

    Beaches-in-Santorini

    And watching some of the most ridiculously jaw dropping sunsets imaginable.

    Santorini Sunsets

    Even though all the other tourists are hoping for a peek at that same view…

    Tourists-watching-the-sunset-in-Santorini


    It doesn’t matter though. The sunsets are remarkable from wherever you are on the island.

    The-beginning-of-sunset-in-Santorini

    I want to be somewhere where you an experience smoked eggplant ice cream.

    Smoked Eggplant Ice Cream in Santorini

    And the freshest seafood possible.

    Seafood in Santorini

    And you eat the fish even though he’s staring straight at you trying to make you feel just a little bit guilty. But you don’t feel guilty, because it’s so damn good.

    Santorini Food & Wine

    And no matter where you eat, or at what time, your body and mind are at rest.

    Dining-at-night-in-Santorini

    A place where some of the most unique wines are found, in conditions unimaginable.

    Basket vines side by side

    Not your typical vineyard!

    old-vine-many-rings

    Where you can get views like this from a winery tasting room.

    Santo Tasting Room Santorini

    The tasting room at Santo Winery in Santorini

    Santorini, Greece

    That’s right. I really really wish I was in Santorini right now, instead of rainy Portland, or the snow-bound east coast.

    Shopping in Santorini

    I want it to be July, and I want to be in the hot Santorini sun, eating fresh seafood and the sweetest and juiciest tomatoes I’ve ever had, sipping on the most bracingly acidic, yet texturally rich and refreshing wines.

    2014 Hatzidakis Aidani (Santorini, Greece), and 2014 Gavalas Santorini 'Dry White Wine' Assyrtiko (Santorini, Greece)

    But since I can’t be in Santorini right now I can do the next best thing.

    I can drink Santorini.

    2014 Hatzidakis Aidani (Santorini, Greece), and 2014 Gavalas Santorini 'Dry White Wine' Assyrtiko (Santorini, Greece)

    It may seem counterintuitive to drink cold, refreshing, seafood friendly wines when you’re experiencing the winter blues. But for me it’s a reminder that this too shall pass.

    And while I may not be going to Santorini anytime soon 😢 It doesn’t mean I can’t drink like I am.

    2014 Hatzidakis Aidani (Santorini, Greece) 

    Aidani is one of the main white wine grapes indigenous to the island. It is most often blended with Assyrtiko to provide rich, floral, and elegant aromas. But in this example, from an all organic winery, its not blended with anything, so you can get the full gist of the variety. This one is super minerally and rich in texture with floral aromas, some mild peach and melon, and a briny finish. This had me craving some shrimp linguine. I’m sure it would also be killer with a smoked eggplant baba ghanoush from our cookbook Fire + Wine. 14% abv  |  $25 (media sample)

    2014 Gavalas Santorini “Dry White Wine” Assyrtiko (Santorini, Greece) 

    Assyrtiko is thought to be the oldest known grape variety in all of Greece, where it is planted throughout the country. It is in Santorini, however, where it becomes its most special and displays its greatest expression through its signature minerality and acidity derived from the volcanic soils of Santorini. It is also the most planted grape on the island, making up to 70% of the vineyards.

    Assyrtiko is a very fascinating grape producing full-bodied wines very high in acidity, strong in minerality, with aromas of citrus, leaving behind a salty/briny finish.

    This example is briny up front and super minerally. It also has some pear and pineapple, and lemon peel. The texture is rich and the signature acidity is there (but not as intense as some examples). The briny flavors are refreshing, like you go swimming in the ocean and you lift your head, wipe the water form your face, and then lick your lips. This is what remains, but with the added benefit of a clean citrus fruit finish.

    This wine screams for seafood. Oysters to be specific, but if you can’t find any, any kind of shellfish will do the trick. Something buttery would also be nice will help offset some of the acidity. It’s such a unique wine and such a unique flavor that you won’t find anywhere else! 13%  |  $20 (media sample)

    It’s uniquely Santorini.

    Santorini, Where I want to be

    For more on the grapes of Santorini see here. 

    For more on Santorini, what to do, where to eat, what to drink, see here. 


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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Julie says

      January 23, 2016 at 8:40 pm

      Beautiful photos and I find that smoked eggplant ice cream really interesting. I recently have been bitten by the wanderlust bug too as I’m planning and budgeting for the next international trip!

      Reply
    2. Aarika says

      January 23, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      Wow, Mary! Your blog post is stunningly inviting. I want to be in Santorini immediately! What an amazing experience. I am having so much following your fantastic adventures and learning tons about wine. Yay! Thank you. I definitely need some of your wine knowledge for pairings with beets. =) Cheers!

      Reply
    3. Marlynn @ UrbanBlissLife says

      January 23, 2016 at 2:49 am

      Oh my gosh, you are killing me with these photos! SO gorgeous! And warm. Very warm. I need to pick up some Greek wine to warm me up this weekend, I think!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 23, 2016 at 12:55 pm

        Me too! Looking out the window right now at the rain is making me a little sad. Need a summery pick me up!!

        Reply
    4. Nicky says

      January 22, 2016 at 9:43 pm

      I would love to be somewhere warm too enjoying good food and wine with friends. These images are beautiful.

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:31 pm

        Thanks! I’m so ready for a little bit of warmth. January gets me down. Big time!

        Reply
    5. Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman says

      January 22, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      Oh my goodness, what a beautiful place and amazing images! If the wine is anywhere near as wonderful as the place from which it originates, we need to give it a try. Cheers!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:30 pm

        Oh you’ve gotta put it on your bucket list! It’s one of my top 2 favorite places in the world!

        Reply
    6. Allison Jones says

      January 22, 2016 at 7:28 pm

      Santorini has been on my travel bucket list for SO long! I really need to go!!!!!! The food. The wine. The VIEWS. It all looks phenomenal.

      LiveLifeWell,
      Allison

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:29 pm

        It’s an incredibly magical place!!! You must go someday!!

        Reply
    7. Allie says

      January 22, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      Oh this is FILLED with gorgeous photos! Now I want wine and a warm, sunny, white-sand beach! I’m in Alaska, and I really shouldn’t complain since the weather has been “mild”, but GOSH I’m ready for the warmth of summer!

      Reply
      • Mary says

        January 22, 2016 at 11:29 pm

        I’m with you!! It’s pretty mild here in Oregon, but damn, January just makes me crave some warmth!!!

        Reply

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