2020 Tsiakkas Xynisteri

Limassol, Cyprus

Tsiakkas Winery was established in 1988 with a small production of 500 bottles in the town of Pelendri, near Limassol. The winery has grown in size to produce 150,000 bottles per year. They make wine from indigenous varieties as well as wines from international varieties like Cabernet, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Merlot. Gradually, their focus is shifting to the local Cypriot varieties. They rely to certain extent on their own vineyards, but also source fruit from vineyards where they have a long term relationship in place. Tsiakkas Winery prides itself on producing high quality wines that have improved in quality year after year. Cyprus is a wine producing island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, located 50 miles (80km) off the south coast of Turkey and slightly further from the west coast of Syria. Xynisteri (also spelled Xinisteri) is an indigenous white grape grown on Cyprus. It is used in the production of several local (mainly white) wines. Xynisteri is blended with Mavro (red) grapes for the production of the Commandaria, a well-known Cypriot dessert wine and it is also used for the production of the local spirit Zivania. This wine is 98% Xynisteri and 2% Malaga from ungrafted vines, meaning that the vines were never exposed to phylloxera, the root louse that devastated most of the world’s vineyards in the last 18th and early 19th century. Mostly organic (not all vineyards are). Handpicked grapes, 2-day skin contact, selected yeasts. Fermented and aged in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. It is all unoaked, dry and comes in at just 11.85% alcohol this year. Solid in the mid-palate for its level. Then, its acidic core takes over, creating a bit of tension and finishing with a touch of grapefruit. Everything is well balanced and integrated. This is one of MIke's FAVORITE whites in the store right now! He loves its energy a lot, and it is wonderfully refreshing.