Varieties : Asyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani
Locality : Thira (Santorini)
Vineyard : Thira (Santorini)
Ground: established terraces of the island's sandy volcanic soil.
Microclimate : Mediterranean , with intense sunlight, humid nights, low rainfall, for extensive ripening.
Harvest : (1999) August
Vinification : extensively ripened grapes, sun-dried for fifteen days, then controlled fermentation.
Bottling : I. S. ROUSSOS PTY LTD, winery in the Episkopi district of Santorini.
Average production (in bottles) : 5000
First year available : bottled, 1981, interrupted for ten years, with the 1999 vintage being available in 2004.
Characteristics : those drawn from the grapes being dried in the sun and lengthy ageing on oaken barrels. Deep honey in colour with flashes of gold betraying its history. The esters of sun-dried figs, plum conserve and nuts are impressed in the aroma. Burnt caramel and vanilla pervade the mouth while a delicate sweetness edged by citrus rind lingers in the throat.
Serving temperature : 8o - 10o C
To accompany : nuts, fruitcake, conserves and chocolate morsels, or as a simple aperitif.