Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2023
Type: White
Country: Greece
Region: Santorini
Grape Variety: 100% Assyrtiko
Viticulture: Organic Farming
Climate: Mediterranean climate that is characterized by warm temperatures, low rainfall but high humidity
Terroir: Grapes picked from selected blocks over the island. Average age of vines is 60+ years old
Ageing: Rigorous grape sorting by hand on a conveyor belt. Whole bunch gentle yet long pressing. Vinification in stainless steel tank under controlled temperatures. At least 4-month lees aging and periodical stirring (bâtonnage) in the tank
Color: Pale lemon
Nose: Intense minerality on the nose complemented by aromas of stone fruits and citrus fruits -mostly peach and lemon-, and floral notes on the background
Palate: The rich palate is further enhanced by the vibrant acidity and a saline-forward character. Long aftertaste following the aromas of the nose
About the Winery:
The winery of Domaine Sigalas is nestled between vines on the scenic plain of Oia in the northern part of Santorini. The 40 hectares of surrounding vineyards are cultivated in a sustainable manner and the winery’s annual wine production reaches 200,000 bottles. All wines are crafted with great attention to the varieties of Santorini and the neighbouring Cyclades.
In every story of the birth of the Assyrtiko, there is one chapter about Paris Sigalas. He is the pioneering winemaker who applied mathematics and other innovative ideas to oenology and viticulture to elevate Santorini’s wines to international stardom. The 1991 Santorini is his maiden vintage, the first wine to be labelled Protected Designation of Origin, marking the start of operations at Domaine Sigalas.
Coming from a winemaking family, like most Santorinians, the future mathematician Paris Sigalas spent his summer holidays on the island. Together with friends, he helped out with grape picking and in the production of the family’s wine, a process that increasingly fascinated him.
Gradually, Sigalas took over the reins of his grandfather’s vineyard and started crafting wine by his own guiding principle: “the dynamic evolution of tradition”. It is the belief that innovation and technical savviness can coexist in a creative relationship with the ancient wine-growing traditions of the island.
As Paris Sigalas has said, it was his passion for tasting and evaluating wine that eventually set the high bar for his own wines.
