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: 1650 bottles
PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018 from Ikaria
This wine expresses a mature, earthy and deeply mineral side of Begleri. It comes from Patissa in Raches, at around 800 meters altitude, where old prephylloxeric vines, granite soil and the mountain microclimate create a white wine with intensity, purity and distinctive character.
PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018 and 100% Begleri
Begleri gives this wine freshness, natural acidity and aromatic intensity. In this traditional expression, the variety develops a more earthy and mineral profile. In addition, notes of grapefruit, wild herbs, smoke and wet stone make PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018 ideal for wine lovers who appreciate white wines with depth and authenticity.
Old vineyard in Patissa
The grapes come from prephylloxeric vines that are more than 200 years old. This rare vineyard is located in Patissa, Raches, and follows organic multicultivation. The granite soil, low pH and high concentration of metals and trace elements give the wine salinity, tension and its characteristic wet granite finish.
Traditional pithari winemaking
Afianes Wines vinifies this wine with a traditional method and minimal intervention. First, the grapes are manually destemmed and pressed by foot in a granite press. Then, the must stays for two days. After that, fermentation continues with indigenous yeasts in clay jars buried in the earth outside the winery.
Natural character and minimal intervention
The winemaking process uses no mechanical intervention and no filtration. This approach preserves the personality of Begleri and allows the wine to express the vineyard, the soil and the microclimate of Ikaria. At the same time, clay pithari fermentation adds texture, earthy character and a direct sense of place.
Taste profile of PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018
In the glass, this wine 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 very complex, rich in minerals and continuously evolving. In addition, wild herbs, tobacco, citrus fruit and wet granite create a unique finish.
Food pairing ideas
You can pair this dry white wine with mollusks, seashells, oysters, clams and grilled medium-fat or high-fat fish. It also works beautifully with smoked cheeses, camembert and wild greens with lemon. Its minerality and earthy intensity make it ideal for seafood, salty flavors and Mediterranean dishes with herbs.
Serving and ageing
Serve PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018 at 10–12°C. This temperature keeps the freshness alive while allowing the earthy and mineral aromas to open gradually. Also, give the wine a few minutes in the glass, so it can reveal more complexity. Thanks to its structure, the wine is suitable for long ageing.
Discover more white wines from Afianes
Finally, PITHARI DRY WHITE 2018 belongs to the white wine world of Afianes Wines, where Begleri, pithari winemaking and the terroir of Ikaria shape every bottle. To explore more wines from the same category, visit the White Wines collection. For winery moments, rare releases and stories from Ikaria, follow Afianes Wines on Instagram.
