Wine of the Week: Athanasiou Assyrtiko 2024
Assyrtiko is no longer confined to Santorini. Athanasiou Winery in Nemea was one of the early producers to believe in the variety beyond the island, and its 2024 vintage shows why this story still matters.
Βy Yiannis Karakasis MW
Assyrtiko may now be one of the most recognised Greek white varieties, but this was not always the case outside Santorini. Today, it is planted and studied across many parts of Greece. Back in 2007, however, very few wineries beyond the island were producing it as a single varietal wine. Athanasiou Winery in Nemea was one of the early believers.
For Mihalis Athanasiou, the decision was not just technical but also personal. His late father loved Santorini Assyrtiko, a wine often shared at the family table. Over time, that experience shaped his own understanding of what makes a great Greek white wine. As he explains, Assyrtiko was never simply another grape to try, it carried memory, emotion, and a clear sense of quality.
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