Avgoustiatis is a captivating red wine grape variety that originated from Greece. Its name can be translated as 'August', which refers to the early ripening of this grape type, often in late August. Avgoustiatis is mostly found in the Ionian Islands, in the regions of Zante and Cephalonia, but it’s also prevalent in the Peloponnese peninsula.
Regarding its attributes, Avgoustiatis is exceedingly adaptable and can be cultivated from sea-level up to 800m high sloping vineyards. This robust grape has a knack for resisting adverse weather conditions, particularly drought, and thrives in limestone and sandy soils. However, the grape can be quite challenging to grow, primarily due to its loose clusters, making it susceptible to diseases and difficult to harvest in larger scales.
In terms of taste and aroma, wines produced from Avgoustiatis have a powerful and robust character. This medium to full-bodied red wine often displays opulent red fruit flavours, especially cherry and cranberry, overlaid with some spiciness. The wine tends to have mild acidity and moderate tannin levels. Notably, the delicate vanilla and smoke undertones are the result of oak aging, which introduces an extra layer of complexity to the taste profile. Wines made from Avgoustiatis grape typically have a relatively high alcohol content around 13 to 14%, making them perfect pairings for dishes with strong flavours.
Despite being lesser-known outside Greece, Avgoustiatis is gaining popularity in the global wine scene for its unique character. The grape type has clearly shown great potential for single varietal wines, but it is also blended with other local grapes to enhance its nuances and complexity. Advocates for this type of grape certainly enjoy its expression of the terroir intertwined with exotic, sun-drenched fruit flavours.
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