Zacharias Assyrtiko 2022 (Greece) - Wine Review

Tonight's white wine review is a lovely Assyrtiko from Greece that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the June 8th LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Zacharias Winery, a notable family-owned winery that was established over 30 years ago in the Nemea region, which is situated in the northeastern part of the Peloponnese, in Greece.

The Zacharias family has forty hectares of blessed land located on slopes that embrace the village of Leontio. The family's vineyards on these lands are spread sluggishly, offering the finest fruit for the production of high-quality wines. Zacharias plants thirteen grape varieties, including top indigenous varieties such as Agiorgitiko, Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, and Mavrodaphne, as well as international varieties. With small yields and an integrated environmental management system which respects both nature and man, the juices from these grapes create quality wines.

Situated 115 km southwest of Athens, historically, Nemea was better known for the famous feat of Hercules who exterminated the terrible Lion of Nemea that inhabited the area. According to legend, the son of the god of wine, Dionysus, reigned this land and founded a city that bore his name - Fliounta. Nemea used to be called Agios Georgios, from the homonymous Byzantine church from which the famous grape variety - Agiorgitiko - took its name. Winegrowing, including the Agiorgitiko variety, and the production of wine in the region date back to 2000 B.C.

For the Zacharias family, the art of winemaking has been more than a passion for over 30 years. As the most historic winery in Nemea, since 1974, it has continuously offered a vision, mood, and work ethic to qualitatively improve the wines made with Agiorgitiko. The aim of Zacharias Winery is to offer approachable wines with a unique identity, while preserving the tradition and dissemination of grape varieties of the PDO Nemea and PGI Peloponnese appellations, which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the place.

The production area in and around Nemea is quite extensive, ranging from 200 metres up to 850 metres above sea level, with most of the area's vineyards planted on slopes. The climate in the region is the typical Mediterranean climate, with average annual temperatures of 17°C, and average annual rainfall of 750 mm. The soil in the vineyards have average organic content, with moderate alkaline pH, and a relatively high content of calcium carbonate.

To craft this 100% Assyrtiko, the grapes were grown within the PGI Peloponnese appellation, the southernmost of the Balkan peninsula and Greece's largest and most productive wine region. After hand-harvesting the grapes in late-September, they underwent a cold maceration for 12 hours, followed by a cooler fermentation in stainless steel vats. Let's see how this 2022 Assyrtiko from Greece is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

ZACHARIAS ASSYRTIKO 2022 - PGI Peloponnese, Greece (#588814) (XD) - $18.95
Fresh and fragrant, the inviting, medium-high intensity nose offers lovely yellow flowers, ripe lemon citrus, and melon aromas accented with fresh herbs and anise notes. On the dry, well-structured, medium-full bodied palate it is ripe and very lightly honeyed with delicious lemon citrus, floral, melon, and herbal replays on the flavour profile. It's supported by crisp and refreshing acidity, along with some spice notes and a fine, chalky textured mouthfeel on the mid-palate. Crisp and fresh, with leesy mineral notes lingering on the long, juicy finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90 pts

Other fine wines by Zacharias Winery can be found at the LCBO, or ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.