2006 Sigalas Santorini, Cyclades, Greece

Paris Sigalas is a mathematician by training but decided to start a winery in 1991 as hobby. One presumes it was not quite as easy as it sounds but perhaps he is one of those blessed individuals who can do extraordinary things seemingly on a whim.  Whatever the path that bought him to today entailed,  he has built Sigalas into one of the most successful wineries  in Greece.

He is famous mainly for his range of reds which rich and intense but we were incredibly impressed with this – a truly fine, exceptionally well made Greek white. Assyrtico is of course widely acknowledged to be the finest of all the Greek white varieties, combining power and texture with lean, mineral acidity, even when grown in the intensely hot, arid vineyards of this country. There is much contention over whether oaking this variety is a good idea or not but certainly the Sigalas winery has more than pulled it off.

This is rich and honeyed with both oily, viscous honeyed fruit and buttered spice from the oak but all of that is beautifully enlivened with a zesty, fresh citrus acidity and a backbone of minerality.  Very lovely wine indeed – please don’t drink it too cold.

Good With

Grilled chicken or pork or meaty fish