Wine: Dry white
Variety composition: Begleri 100%
Protected Geographical Indication (IGP): Ikaria
Vineyards: Ikaria, Raches, Patissa 0,5 ha, prephylloxeric vineyard, plant age 200+ years, organic multicultivation, (yield 14hl/ha) altitude 800 m. Granite soil with low pH and high concentration in metals and trace elements.
Winemaking: Traditional, manual deposturing, pressure inside the granite press on foot, stay for 2 days and continuation of the fermentation with the indigenous yeasts in jars dug into the earth outside. Without mechanical interventions and filtering, only a minimal saturation before bottling.
Aging: Susceptible to long aging.
Production: 780 bottles.
PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 from Ikaria
This aged white wine reflects the wild terroir of Ikaria through Begleri, one of the island’s most important white grape varieties. Moreover, the 2015 vintage gives the wine a more evolved and layered character than a young white wine. As a result, it offers depth, texture and a strong connection to time and place.
PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 and 100% Begleri
Begleri gives this wine freshness, acidity and a mineral backbone. In this mature expression, the variety moves beyond simple citrus fruit and reveals deeper aromatic layers. Therefore, PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 is ideal for wine lovers who appreciate aged Greek white wines, natural vinification and rare indigenous varieties.
Old prephylloxeric vines in Patissa
The grapes come from Patissa in Raches, at around 800 meters altitude. The old prephylloxeric vines, with an age of more than 200 years, grow on granite soil with low pH and many minerals and trace elements. Because of this unique vineyard profile, the wine develops salinity, earthy depth, mineral tension and a distinctive wet granite character.
Natural vinification in buried clay pitharia
Afianes Wines creates this wine with a traditional and minimal-intervention approach. First, the grapes are manually destemmed and pressed by foot in a granite press. Then, the must stays with the skins for two days. After that, fermentation continues with indigenous yeasts in clay jars buried in the earth outside the winery. Finally, the wine is bottled without mechanical intervention and without filtration.
Taste profile of PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015
In the glass, PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 shows a cloudy bright gold color. On the nose, it offers smoky notes, grapefruit, earthy aromas, first-rain character, wet granite and mushrooms. On the palate, it feels complex, mineral and evolving. In addition, wild herbs, tobacco, citrus fruit and wet stone create a long, distinctive finish.
Food pairing ideas
You can pair this aged white wine with dishes that have salinity, depth and texture. For example, it works beautifully with mollusks, seashells, oysters, clams and grilled medium-fat or high-fat fish. It also pairs well with smoked cheeses, camembert and wild greens with lemon. Moreover, its mature structure makes it suitable for refined Mediterranean dishes with herbs and earthy flavors.
Serving recommendation
Serve PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 at 10–12°C. This temperature keeps the wine fresh while allowing the mature aromas to open gradually in the glass. Also, give it a few minutes after pouring, because the wine can reveal more complexity as it breathes. Since it is an aged natural wine, its character may evolve beautifully during the tasting.
A rare aged bottle from Afianes Wines
Finally, PITHARI DRY WHITE 2015 belongs to the rare aged white wine collection of Afianes Wines, where Begleri, old vines and clay pithari winemaking create wines with strong identity. To explore more bottles from the same category, visit the White Wines collection. For winery moments, rare releases and stories from Ikaria, follow Afianes Wines on Instagram.
