Every single night, sunset is the can’t-pass up party throughout the Cyclades islands.
In Santorini, site visitors and locals line the cliff tops earlier mentioned the caldera and view the summer months sunshine sink towards the indigo-blue Mediterranean waters, turning any remaining clouds vivid shades of electric orange and pink.
Individuals in the know acquire this as a cue to pour 1 past glass of chilled Assyrtiko (pronounced ah-SEER-tee-ko).
The dim volcanic soil, the salty sea, and the gusty breeze present a stark beauty that draws about 2 million thirsty holidaymakers a calendar year — generally during the lava-warm summer year — to the smaller Greek island. The exact same factors allow local winemakers to generate exclusive white wines from the native Assyrtiko grape.
Like the caldera, the islands’ soils are the end result of volcanic exercise. The complicated combine of pumice, sand, volcanic ash and rocks results in a uniquely fiery terroir.
To secure their grapes from the severe features on the island, the historic winemakers wove their grapevines into baskets identified as kouloura.
This procedure was so prosperous that historic vines on Santorini nevertheless make wine grapes nowadays.
So, what to drink as you watch the sunlight go down on the Med? Additional vital nonetheless, exactly where must you lay down right after all that day ingesting? We’ve bought answers.
Nestled improbably on the edge of the island’s Lilliputian airstrip, Gaia Wines is established in just a renovated early 20th-century stone industrial developing. Open May perhaps to Oct, end by for the Thalassitis Submerged ($200), which invested five decades getting older on the seabed just before launch, or the Wild Ferment ($30) that however provides remarkable complexity and precision at a fraction of the rate.

5 minutes inland, fourth-technology winemaker Matthaios Argyros is at the helm of the Estate Argyros crafting superb wines.
His Cuvée Monsignori ($41) is greatly regarded as