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An island in Greece that boasts some of the best wines is the Santorini wineries. An excellent choice for wine lovers. Santorini’s unique soil and climate create a perfect environment for producing excellent wines, making it one of the most sought-after destinations for wine connoisseurs. Santorini’s wineries offer everything from classic white wines to bubbly Santorini Assyrtiko sparkling wines.
Santorinian producers are also known for their innovative use of indigenous grape varieties like Aidani, Athiri, and Mavrotragano to craft interesting red blends. Wine lovers can experience Santorini’s rich viticulture by visiting local wineries as part of a guided tasting tour or simply exploring the vine.
Let’s check some more details about them!
A brief history of the Santorini wineries
Santorini has Europe’s oldest vineyard. It has been the only one producing grapes continuously for over 3000 years. Let’s look at why it sounds artificial.
Around 3000 BC, the first residents of Santorini came to the island. It was a tremendously sophisticated civilization, with two and three-story dwellings, storage chambers, drainage systems, etc. What matters is that they enjoyed wine as well. And they made wine back then.
Santorini’s vineyards were utterly destroyed when the island was buried under a thick layer of lava during the Minoan Eruption in 1640 BC. Around 1200 BC, fresh soil was formed. Following that, and throughout time, many residents of Santorini attempted to produce a variety of plants. Grapes, on the other hand, were the only ones that survived.
Around the 19th century, a bug known as phylloxera invaded Europe and decimated every vineyard. Only a few grapes survived, such as those in Etna (Italy) and here in Santorini (Greece). The grapes survived in Santorini owing to a straightforward reason. The soil in Santorini is largely pumice, lava, and volcanic ash, making phylloxera unable to live.
What makes the Santorini wineries unique?
The first factor that distinguishes Santorini is the island’s long history of vineyards. It understands how the field works from the inside out. Furthermore, it combines traditions and practices handed down through centuries with current technology.
The second is its distinct terroir and environment, which are dominated by volcanic soils. These soils provide the ideal habitat for the growth of rare grape types. They, in turn, provide the well-known and beloved Santorini wines. The wines we savored on our Santorini honeymoon.
Santorini wines are infused with the island’s rich tradition and breathtaking vistas to add to their charm. Because it is a terrific vacation spot, the offered tale is comprehensive.
Santorini is a fortunate location. Everything that comes out of there is one-of-a-kind. It grows fava beans, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers. Local items may be in tiny numbers, but they all have a distinct personality that sets them apart. As a result, Santorini wines are unlike any other wine in the world.
Santorini Wine tasting tour – Learn about Santorini wine history
Santorini wineries: The types of wine
Currently, there are around 30 wine kinds. The principal grape types grown in Santorini include Assyrtiko (which accounts for 80% of the island’s output), Athiri and Aidani from the whites, and Mantilaria, Mavrotragano, and Voudomato from the reds. Santorini’s wines are distinguished by powerful smells and tastes and high alcohol levels.
One cannot help but notice that Santorini is linked with Assyrtiko. There are, nevertheless, certain unusual kinds that are worth sampling and purchasing. These wines are known as Unicorn Wines. They are uncommon, like unicorns, and Santorini has many of them.
In conclusion!
Greece is known for its North Aegean, the Cretan, and the Santorini wine. After learning about Santorini’s indigenous varietals and greatest wineries, the next step is to visit the island to discover its wine production and enjoy its richness.
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We recommend the below options to book your hotels, flights, and activities in Santorini:
🍷 Food and wine tours in Santorini: greecefoodies.com
⛵ Sailing Tours in Santorini: getyourguide.com
🚗 Rent a car in Santorini: economybookings.com
🏨 Hotels in Santorini: booking.com
✈️ Flights to Santorini: wayaway.io
** Please note that we get a small commission if you book via our referral links. We use this to invest in new foodie content and to update this website.
A team of foodies, cooks, and travelers. Alios Tours was founded out of our passion for Greek food. We share the delicious side of Greece.
