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Beyond Assyrtiko: Alternative Greek whites

Though Assyrtiko may be Greece’s best-known grape, the country is a treasure trove of white varieties, in diverse styles. Yiannis Karakasis MW shares his pick of ‘other’ Greek dry whites.

From hazy tourist memories of bad retsina served in terrible glasses in tavernas, to the sensational modern-day Assyrtikos of Santorini island, Greek wine has come a long way. This is particularly felt in the country’s whites, which highlight freshness and structure, with moderate alcohol levels that rarely exceed 13.5%. There’s also an unexpected common thread – a saline aftertaste. Assyrtiko doesn’t have a monopoly on this, as a handful of other exciting white varieties have come to the fore.


Yiannis Karakasis MW’s top 18 alternative Greek whites

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