SAVATIANO
Despite the fact that Savatiano is one the most widely planted grapes in Greece, its true potential is yet to be discovered. Historically used for infamous Retsina wine, today Savatiano makes distinctive whites with striking aromas and well-rounded palate.
Overview
Savatiano is one of the most popular wine grapes in Greece. This indigenous variety is widely planted throughout central Greece, particularly in Attica. Along with Roditis, another popular grape, Savatiano is often referred to as the ‘working horse’ of Greek winemaking. Indeed, vinified either solo or as part of the blend, this grape is responsible for a big part of dry white wines produced in Greece.
Historically, Savatiano was used for the traditional Retsina wines. Because of the poor quality of a few Retsina examples, Savatiano reputation was somewhat damaged. As a result, winemakers have only started exploring this grape recently. Nowadays, some distinctive white wines are made of Savatiano.
Aromas And Styles
As mentioned above, for centuries, Savatiano was used to make Retsina – a type of wine infused with the resin of Aleppo pine trees. Therefore, the grape became largely associated with this particular style and its potential has not been fully explored. Nowadays more and more winemakers experiment with Savatiano making varietal wines or using it in blends.
If the yields are restricted and the grapes are harvested at the right time, Savatiano wine is fresh, with striking aromas of green apple, honeydew, lime zest and lemon curd, as well as notes of freshly-cut grass. It has vivid acidity and a well-rounded palate. With growing interest for Savatiano, we will most likely see more and more outstanding expressions of this grape in the future.
