The white grape variety comes from the Greek island of Santorini. Synonyms are Arcytico, Assirtico, Assyrtico, Asurtico, Asyrtico, Asyrtiko, Asyrtiko and Atzala. The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2011, there is a parent-offspring relationship with the two varieties Gaidouria and Platani. It is believed that the variety (among many others) was used for the production of the famous Malvasia wines, which were shipped or exported from the Greek port of Monemvasia as early as the 13th century. According to one hypothesis, the name indicates its origin in Assyria (counted as part of Mesopotamia in ancient times), from where it is said to have come to Greece via Spain. However, according to analyses, there are no genetic links with varieties from Spain or the Middle East. The late-maturing, high-yielding vine is resistant to both powdery mildew and drought. It yields pale yellow whites full of character, with high acidity and alcohol content, and storage potential that tends to oxidise.
The variety is mainly grown on Santorini, where it accounts for 70% of the stock. The vines are planted ungrafted and are raised in the traditional Kouloura method. The shoots are woven in a circle around the grapes in the shape of a nest to protect the fruit from the wind. Here it is the main variety for the OPAP white wines, which are dry and made from sun-dried grapes as Vinsanto sweet. In the Attica region, it is used for blending with the low-acid varieties Roditis and Savatiano because of its acidity, but it is also vinified on its own. It is also present in the Côtes de Meliton appellation in Chalkidiki and in Peloponnese. In 2016, 1,770 hectares of vineyards were designated in Greece. There is also a tiny population of 0.3 hectares in Australia (Kym Anderson).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Assyrtiko: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI).
Kouloura education system: © Manfred Wirbals
