A GUIDE TO THE LOCAL PRODUCTS OF SANTORINI ISLAND

Do you dream of summer in Santorini? Bring the authentic essence of Santorini to your home!

Visiting Santorini has been on many people's bucket list for a variety of reasons. From experiencing the nightlife with cocktails at the beach, or admiring the iconic white and blue architecture, to tasting the delicious foods and wines at the local tavernas.  Santorini island offers memorable experiences for all visitors. However, even if you cannot visit this unique island any time soon, you can certainly get a taste of the dream by experiencing its distinctive flavors of its local products!

The Best Santorini Wines

As Santorini is covered in multicolored layers of solidified lava and volcanic ashes, that volcanic soil is playing a crucial role in the complexity and longevity of the local wines. The grapes of the vineyards grow low, but due to the fact that they have adapted to the volcanic soil, bacteria cannot grow, thus allowing them to mature under the most natural conditions. Additionally, the "anedosa", the impressive fog that covers the island in the morning, plays an important part in watering the rich Santorini vineyards.

Winemakers, like Estate Argyros Santorini, Domaine Sigalas Winery and Santo Wines Santorini, have long used the traditional wine production methods to provide top-quality, premium wines. Whether you're an experienced wine drinker or a casual wine lover, this selection of the diverse wines from the endless Santorini vineyards, offers something extraordinary for every palate:

1. Assyrtiko: A classy, refreshing white wine known for its high acidity and full body, Assyrtiko originates from Santorini and it is the ideal choice for pairing with seafood and dishes with pasta and rice. Santorini Assyrtiko wine also manages to keep the crispiness and minerality, while also maintaining its fruity aromas and citrus notes.
2. Nykteri: This traditional Santorini wine is aged in oak barrels for at least 3 months, offering rich and complex flavors, with a minimum alcohol content of 13.5%. To make Nykteri wine, one must press the grapes during the very night of the harvest, a process that contributes to the wine's great concentration and ripe-fruit character.
3. Aidani: An elegant white wine, with medium body and moderate acidity lesser-known white wine grape, Aidani produces aromatic wines with discreet hints of citrus fruits and flowers.
4. Mavrotragano: A bold red wine with deep color intensity, full body and moderate acidity, robust tannins and a touch of spice. Mavrotragano is perfect for those who enjoy taste-bursting wines to accompany their late night "mezedes".

The Unique Taste of Santorini Food

The volcanic soil, dry land and strong winds of Santorini not only contribute to the unique taste of the grapes and wines, but also to local food like olives, tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, nuts, honey, caper leaves and fava beans. Wild capers are small flower buds that sprout in unexpected places like steep caldera cliffs, within rugged bushes or between brick walls of old houses. They have a strong and robust flavor and they are perfect to add in your Greek salad to add that extra vibrant kick. 

Also, dried fava beans from Santorini are the perfect ingredients to make the easy recipe of the creamy Yellow Split Peas Puree in its most authentic form. It is PDO certified as it has been part of the Santorini cuisine for more than 3000 years. These products can be enjoyed by everyone, and especially those who follow a vegan and vegetarian diet. The special Santorini soil not only provides us with richest agriculture and tastiest foods, but it also adds nutritional value to each one, like vitamins and antioxidants.