Greek Wine Gaia Thalassitis Santorini

Greek Wine Gaia Thalassitis Santorini

Thalassitis by Gaia Wines is a Greek wine from the island of Santorini. It’s a dry white Greek wine made from Assyrtiko grapes.

According to the wine maker, “Assyrtiko is perhaps the only Mediterranean variety of grape to flourish under such difficult climatic conditions. From poor, porous soil formed by volcanic activity and composed largely of pumice, we harvest fully mature grapes with a relatively high acidity. Our vineyard, located on the Southeastern slopes of Episkopi is composed entirely of 70-80 year old, ungrafted vines with a dramatically low yield.

Prior to wine-making, harvested berries are chilled down to 39 degrees F. in cooling chambers and then destemmed and cold soaked for 12 hours at approximately 50 degrees C. This pre-fermentation extraction will contribute greatly in enhancing the varietal aromas of Assyrtiko. Fermentation is carried out at 60 degrees F. by inoculating with selected yeast strains. The new wine (due to the climatic conditions of Santorini) does not contain any malic acid. Thus, no malolactic fermentation is required.”

For this review we had a team of three men and one woman.

Sample received for review purposes.

Alcohol 13.0% by volume.

In the glass this wine appears clear, non-effervescent and light like a Chablis. Also described by the tasters as light golden or the color of light straw.

On the nose this Greek wine had aromas of non-potent lemon and a slight hint of grapefruit. One person likened the nose to Greek lemon soup. No noticeable whiff of alcohol.

On the palate the Thalassitis was very dry, though lively. Tastes of citrus and grapefruit were noted. Not a sweet wine. “Great acidity” was mentioned by a taster.

The wine finished fresh, crisp and tart and we all felt it to be agreeable and appealing.

Overall, all three of us really enjoyed this nice Greek wine. One of the tasters professed to not liking whites very much but nonetheless said this was a white they’d purchase! Other comments were “very good to excellent and better than a Pinot Grigio”, “pleasant” and “an excellent cocktail hour choice.”

We determined this wine would pair well with a fish dish, appetizers or poultry. Recommend!

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