2019 Paterianakis Vidiano

100% certified organic Vidiano,  an ancient white-wine grape from the Greek island of Crete. This grape is heat and drought tolerant, matures late, and can evolve with age. 50 % of the grapes remain for skin contact for a few hours at cold temperatures. Then the must is fermented in a temperature controlled stainless steel tank at 180C. At the end of fermentation the wine is left on its fine lees for a few months in order to gain structure and body.  12% alcohol. 

A fun example of a rare Greek white varietal with a touch of bottle age on it. Aromas of peach, citrus, acacia and honeycomb. Light to medium bodied, but feels fairly rich in the mouth with a slight creaminess in the mouthfeel and flavors of apple, citrus, melon and almond. Still has plenty of acidity, but the little bit of time in the bottle has rounded it out a bit. 

Established in 1990, this was the first certified organic estate in Crete. With its 4000 year-old wine culture, this magnificent island offers no shortage of unique indigenous grape varieties, which are what we have chosen to feature here. The winery itself is intelligently constructed into a hillside, which offers natural insulation and the valuable possibility to move everything by gravity. Giorgios Paterianakis makes an impressive array of wines for a modestly sized estate. His oldest daughter Emanouella is impatient to take over, however, and is brimming with innovative ideas, including the adoption of biodynamic practices.