The white grape variety originates from Greece. Synonyms are Asprathiri, Asprathiro, Asprothiri, Asprothiro, Athiri, Athiri Lefko, Athiri Leyko and Athyri. The name recalls its possible origin from the archipelago of Santorini with the main island of Thira. It is believed that the variety was used for the production of the famous Malvasia wines, which were shipped from the historic Greek port of Monemvasia as early as the 13th century. DNA analyses carried out in 2007 refuted the assumption that it was identical to the Thrapsathiri variety, but the parentage (parentage) is unknown. The red variety Athiri Mavro is a colour mutation (or vice versa).
The medium to late ripening vine is susceptible to powdery mildew, but resistant to drought. It yields a fresh, fruity white wine with moderate acidity and alcohol content and lime aroma. The variety is grown on some Aegean islands, the Cyclades, Peloponnese and also on the mainland in Macedonia on the peninsula of Chalkidike. On the island of Rhodes, it is used to make the dry white wine "Athiri de Rhodes". On Santorini, it is cultivated in the traditional vine training Kouloura shown in the picture above and is mainly used as a blending partner for the Assyrtiko variety. In Crete, it is blended with Thrapsathiri and Vilana to make Peza wine. It is also used as table grape. In 2016, 577 hectares of vines were reported with a decreasing trend (Kym Anderson statistics).
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Kouloura education system: © Manfred Wirbals
Athiri Aspro: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
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