£6.99, Aldi
I know, I know, this week's wine is being posted late but, believe me, it's worth the wait for this terrific value, summery Assyrtiko.
It's from a single vineyard, Aspri Petra, at a soaring 625 metres in the IGP of Florina in the Amyndeon region of north west Greece, and it's everything the country's flagship white grape, Assyrtiko, should be when it's grown on the mainland. I stress mainland because it's not trying to be Santorini. Instead, it's zesty and refreshing but with richness and suppleness too. Flavour wise, there's passionfruit and citrus, saline minerality and suggestions of wild flowers and white pepper.
The vineyards are certified sustainable, no herbicides are used and the hand-harvested grapes (including 10% Sauvignon Blanc) are left in contact with the skins for six hours. After fermentation in stainless steel, the wine is left on its lees (sur lie) for three months and regularly stirred; hence the suppleness and roundness of the texture.
In terms of food, it goes with pretty well all fish, from barbecued prawns to fritto misto, fish and chips to teriyaki salmon, crab quiche to sashimi and ceviche. It loves summer vegetables and salads and spatchcocked poussin cooked with lemon, garlic and herbs. 13%. Empty bottle weight: 423g.
Filos Estate Single Vineyard Aspri Petra Assyrtiko 2021, IGP Florina, Macedonia, Greece
£6.99, Aldi
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