Zacharias, Assyrtiko, Peloponnese, Greece 2022

Assyrtiko is forging a reputation for itself as Greece's noble white grape, offering more complexity than some of the more aromatic varieties. This new listing from the Zacharias estate is smartly packaged and equally smartly made. It's from the northern Greek mainland and is more approachable and fruit forward, less austere, than many examples from the island of Santorini. The alcohol content is punchy, and this is full bodied, but it's completely harmonious, with pear and green apple fruit, a streak of minerality and a saline bite. A great way of getting to know Assyrtiko before you experiment with more austere expressions perhaps, and its exuberance means you could quite happily enjoy it without food.