Aióra, which means hammock in Greek, was the ancient Greek festivity dedicated to God Dionysus and to celebrating the revelation of the annual wine. It was part of the three-day festival of the Anthesteria, where in a ceremonial way, on the first day, the villagers would open the pithoi (clay jars) containing the wine of the year and the first tastings would take place. On the second day the amphoras were filled and the aióra festivities would start, where, amidst wine pouring and rich dinners, young ladies would sing on swings and hammocks, hanging on tree branches.

The white wine Aióra is a blend of three grape varieties. Those are the two famous Greek varieties, Assyrtiko of Santorini and the Aegean islands (40%), and Xinomavro of Northern Greece (20%). The third is Malagousia (40%), which is a highly aromatic Greek variety. In this wine we have followed the Sur Lie vinification method, where the wine stays for about 4 months along with fine lees. The wine ferments with natural native yeast from the vine, partly in traditional Cretan amphoras (the Malagousia). It is bottled unfiltered and with low addition of sulfites.

It is full of fresh aromas of pear, peach, lemon, lime, white citrus flowers, and green almond. The mouth has a moderate body, refreshing acidity and explosive aromatic intensity of peach, lemon, pear, citrus, lime and grapefruit.

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Aiora collection

Aióra White Amphora

Aióra, which means hammock in Greek, was the ancient Greek festivity dedicated to God Dionysus and to celebrating the revelation of the annual wine. It was part of the three-day festival of the Anthesteria, where in a ceremonial way, on the first day, the villagers would open the pithoi (clay jars) containing the wine of the year and the first tastings would take place. On the second day the amphoras were filled and the aióra festivities would start, where, amidst wine pouring and rich dinners, young ladies would sing on swings and hammocks, hanging on tree branches.

The white wine Aióra is a blend of three grape varieties. Those are the two famous Greek varieties, Assyrtiko of Santorini and the Aegean islands (40%), and Xinomavro of Northern Greece (20%). The third is Malagousia (40%), which is a highly aromatic Greek variety. In this wine we have followed the Sur Lie vinification method, where the wine stays for about 4 months along with fine lees. The wine ferments with natural native yeast from the vine, partly in traditional Cretan amphoras (the Malagousia). It is bottled unfiltered and with low addition of sulfites.

It is full of fresh aromas of pear, peach, lemon, lime, white citrus flowers, and green almond. The mouth has a moderate body, refreshing acidity and explosive aromatic intensity of peach, lemon, pear, citrus, lime and grapefruit.

ANALYTICAL DATA

VARIETY
Assyrtiko 40% Xinomavro 20% Malagousia 40%
VINIFICATION
Fermentation in stainless steel tanks with controlled temperature and in amphora
WINEMAKING
Native wild yeasts
ALCOHOL
12.5%
MATURITY
4 months with the fine lees
FILTER
No filtration
BTL_NO
14,500

AWARDS

Decanter Silver 2020
Thessaloniki Internation Wine & Spirits Competion Silver 2021,2022,2023
International Balkans Competition Gold 2022
Organic regenerative cultivation and sandy loam soil and limestone at 230m above sea level.

 

Organic regenerative cultivation. Sandy loam soil with a significant amount of limestone in its deeper layers. This gives the wine its characteristic acidity and mineral notes. The vineyard is located at an altitude of about 230 meters above sea level and just a few kilometers from the sea. The sea breeze is very refreshing on summer nights, while the saltiness carried by the air is easily detected in the character of the wine.

An innovative support system is applied with the grapes hanging at a height of 1.8m to always be in the shade of the foliage and to ensure the necessary ventilation. Pruning is done with double loose tendrils and small interventions are done where and when needed. Also, usually green harvest is performed, while we rarely reach hectare yields of the order of 50hl per hectare.

Finally, most of the work is done manually, while a flock of sheep often visits the vineyard for grazing and natural fertilization.

 

FOOD PAIRING

Fish and Seafood: Pairs well with fish dishes. Grilled shrimps or curry shrimp risotto, fresh small and medium size fish of the day or shrimp ceviche and sashimi.

https://blog.botilia.gr/en/malagouzia-in-5-minutes/

Poultry, cheese and salads: Fresh salads with fresh fruits, pasta with light sauces, chicken fillet, various cheese plated and spicy Asian cuisine.

https://www.matchingfoodandwine.com/news/match_of_the_week/-salad-caprese-and-malagousia/

Vegeterian: Rich salads with corn, mushrooms, roasted pecans, zucchini and lemon pasta.

https://www.runningtothekitchen.com/butternut-squash-porcini-mushroom-risotto/