Gaia - Assyrtiko - Wild Ferment 2021
Gaia Wines is located in the Peloponnese, Greece , with wineries in Nemea and on the island of Santorini . The estate was created in 1994 by a collaboration between Léon Karatsalos , agricultural engineer, and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos , one of the emblematic figures of wine in Greece. They were among the first to make wines only from native grape varieties and to experiment with fermentation in native yeasts and the use of wood for aging the local white grape variety Assyrtiko. In both regions, the location chosen, the characteristics of the soil, the climatic conditions, the levels of humidity and temperature, are treated with respect but also with the attention required so that varieties such as Assyrtiko and l 'Agiorgitiko give the best of themselves.
Santorini is an internationally recognized unique region with a special ecosystem for growing vines. The volcanic and porous soil, long hours of sunshine, lack of rainfall throughout the year, sea mist and strong winds in summer, the traditional "kouloura" training system of the basket-shaped vine create rare and unique wines.
This cuvée is made from Assyrtiko from the Pyrgos vineyard on the island of Santorini. After a 12-hour skin maceration , the harvest is transferred to stainless steel vats (50%) and new 225-litre French oak (20%), American (10%) and acacia (20%) barrels . Fermentation occurs naturally with native yeasts , which determine the character of the wine. In every winemaking container, something different happens. The selection of wines is made after fermentation.
Grape variety: 100% Assyrtiko