A trip to
Santorini is a true exploration of five senses, so intense that nobody that has ever experienced it can deny this slightly faster heart beating while stepping foot on this island for the first time. Thousands of legends and myths have been born in this deep blue sea, on these hard rocks coming from the same source of mysterious energy: the
volcano. Ironically, one of the most tremendous volcanic explosions on earth has ended up to creating one of the most beautiful places on earth! Beyond the obvious, the volcanic beauty that has been captured in millions of photos, there are rocking-senses secrets to be found in Santorini.
Santorini Island has a special tradition in wine making, since wine was “born” here 3500 years ago.
Wine here goes hand in hand with the evolution of the civilization through time till nowadays. The main reason for exceptional and worldwide
unique wine producing here is the
volcano. The volcanic landscape has established the specific circumstances:
volcanic soil rich in lava and pumice, this
thick layer of volcanic material covering the ground,
specific climatic conditions, and
dried earth because of minimal rainfall, sea breeze and sun. Wine, as part of the local culture, is everywhere. The vineyards of the island are among the oldest ones in Europe and there is even a special way of pruning in low basket shaped crowns so as to protect the grapes from the winds.
Old traditional
wineries are everywhere and nearly in every single house there is a
canava, a small wine production workshop deriving from the words cave and wine. Today,
on the island are more than 10 wineries, which cultivate over
40 different varieties. The most famous local ones are:
Aidani, Assyrtiko, Athiri, Liatiko and Mandilaria. Most of the wineries keep the traditional method of wine making aiming to quality, gate keepers of the secrets of this divine flavour that volcano has given as a gift to Santorinians.
The most famous wines of Santorini are “
Nichteri”, dry, white, aged wine by variety assyrtiko and the intoxicating, delectable “
Vinsanto” with intense sweet flavour. The unique taste and aroma of wine produced in Santorini has brought them in the international wine tasting field, gaining remarkable reviews from all over the world. In addition, Santorinians can boast for producing “Wines with Appellation of Superior Quality” as European Union has characterized most of the varieties cultivated in Santorini due to their unique characteristics.