Santorini Nikteri Hatzidakis 2022
Artisanal"Nikteri" is an expressive, rich, and intense white wine from the island of Santorini made from pure Assyrtiko grapes. After skin maceration and a year of aging in wood, it shows a solid, loaded, and full body, with a pleasant saline freshness. On the nose, it stuns and intrigues with the intensity of aromas reminiscent of Mediterranean scrub, oriental spices, ripe yellow fruit, and intense mineral and salty notes.
Santorini “Nikteri” by Hatzidakis can be defined as an enological poem that tells the story of the blue sea surrounding the island of Santorini in Greece. A synthesis of marine freshness, a spokesperson for an ancient wine-growing territory, where pre-phylloxera vines grow in small grooves dug into the sand of the sea to protect themselves from the strong winds that characterize the island's microclimate. A bottle with a rustic charm, crafted artisanally to fully express the aromas and traditions of the ancient cradle of Hellenic wine.
Hatzidakis “Nikteri” is made from 100% Assyrtiko grapes, an indigenous variety of the island, sourced from vineyards located on sandy soils of volcanic origin, rich in ashes and minerals, cultivated organically between 100 and 300 meters above sea level. After harvest, the grapes are destemmed and pressed, and the must remains in contact with the skins for about 12 hours. During maceration, the noble aromas typical of this variety develop decisively and explosively and evolve finely during the aging process, which takes place in large wooden barrels of different sizes for about 12 months.
This white from Hatzidakis is then bottled without any filtration, in order to fully maintain the rich and complex structure developed during winemaking. An ochre yellow color, almost golden, clean and transparent attracts the eye and predicts the decisive aromas of hibiscus flowers, capers, and sea salt. The palate is savory, fresh, and defined. A sip that fills the mouth with juicy and crunchy fruit, framed by mineral notes and a very light tannin, pleasantly vegetal. An unusual and fascinating label, definitely versatile in pairings: from raw fish to aged cheeses, from shellfish to white meats, it allows for unusual and surprising food-wine combinations.