| Origin | |
|---|---|
| Other grapes | |
| Vintage | |
| Bottle sizes |
Jim Barry Assyrtiko is a white wine made from the Assyrtiko grape variety. Assyrtiko is native to Greece and produces some excellent wines there; however, Jim Barry is one of the very few wineries growing this exciting grape variety outside of Greece, certainly the first in Australia. It is available to buy at Fareham Wine Cellar.
Jim Barry Wines is a legend of the Australian wine industry and was one of the principal producers leading to the Clare Valley becoming recognised as one of the benchmark wine-growing regions of Australia. The Jim Barry Armagh Shiraz is considered one of the finest examples of the Clare Valley Shiraz.
After a degree in oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, Jim Barry founded the company in 1959. The company remains in family hands, and today his grandchildren Tom, Sam and Olivia are the winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador, respectively.
Jim Barry’s son Peter and his wife Sue first encountered the Assyrtiko grape variety whilst on holiday in Greece in 2006. The wines reminded Peter of Clare Valley Riesling. He was smitten and returned to the Greek islands in 2008 to collect cuttings from Argyros Wines on the island of Santorini.
After serving the mandatory two year quarantine required by the Australian government, the two Assyrtiko vines were released to Peter in 2010. 658 cuttings were propagated from these two vines, and the first Assyrtiko vines were planted in Australia at the family’s Lodge Hill Vineyard. The first bunches were harvested in March 2014.
Today, there are nearly seven hectares of Assyrtiko planted across four vineyard sites in the Clare Valley (including The Florita vineyard at Watervale, one of the oldest in the Clare Valley), some of which are grown and pruned in the traditional Santorini kouloura basket shape (see the WineWiki).
All the vines in the Assyrtiko blocks are planted in shallow soils over the bedrock which makes them struggle just a little, producing intensely flavoured wines. The vines are single cordon trained to promote even canopy growth and provide optimal shade.
Jim Barry Assyrtiko has lifted citrus blossom and lemon aromas are accompanied by notes of honeydew melon and spice. This Assyrtiko shows great flavour concentration and a full texture, with a flinty streak of minerality. Lively and crisp with an endless finish.
This wine pairs well with seafood and Mediterranean flavours. Its high acidity and citrusy notes make it a perfect match for grilled octopus, shrimp saganaki, or fresh oysters with a squeeze of lemon. The wine’s minerality also complements light fish dishes like grilled sea bass or ceviche.
Assyrtiko is good with classic Greek dishes like a tangy Greek salad with feta, dolmades, or spanakopita, where its acidity cuts through the richness of cheese and pastry. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables like artichokes or a lemon-herb chicken.
The Santorini kouloura is a traditional, circular, basket-shaped vine training system. Experienced vineyard workers weave the vines into a large wreath-like basket shape. This protects the Assyrtiko grapes from Santorini’s strong winds and intense sun by sheltering them within the basket.
This unique method also helps vines retain precious moisture from sea mist and humidity in the island’s arid, volcanic soil. The kouloura is an enduring cultural heritage, yielding hardy, minerally grapes by keeping the fruit low to the ground.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.