Gaia Wild Ferment Assyrtiko 2019
One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution Gaia Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. Operating two different wineries they make cutting edge wines in both Nemea and Santorini.
The Wine Merchant Top 100 Trophy for the Best White Wine has been awarded to Gaia Wines - Wild ferment Assyrtiko 2014!
Vinification
The handpicked grapes are destemmed, crushed and cold soaked for 12 hours with skin contact at 10C. The free run juice is fermented in inox tank (50%), oak casks (35%) and acacia casks (15%). Natural fermentation using only natural yeasts ttakes place in stainless steel and oak barrels.
Viticulture
The native 80 year old Assyrtiko Gaias vines are carefully hand weaved into basket shapes and the grape bunches are coerced into growing inside the basket of the canes. The winds can be so fierce in this area that the basket vines are of great advantage.
Tasting Note
Toasty, smoky and funky on the nose with mineral dusting and brooding intensity. The palate is salty dry with lazer-beam precision and very funky wild ferment layering of complexity with oak wreathed into the mix with sensitivity. The finish is dry, with lasting salty and tangy flavours. Unique and outstanding wine. (The Wine Gang)
Everyday Serving Suggestion
The Wild Ferment from Gaia is to be enjoyed with seafood, meatier fish, lamb and poultry.
Awards
Silver Medal Decanter World Wine Awards
Country / Region / Appellation
GR / Aegean Islands / Santorini PDO
Winemaker
Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos
Additional Resources:
http://www.gaia-wines.gr/