Best Value Santorini Assyrtiko: Sigalas or Hatzidakis?

WINE TALK
21

Sorry, Otto, just to be perfectly clear on this: I can’t vouch 100% how highly regarded it was elsewhere (although it certainly was my impression at the time that it was generally seen as one of the benchmarks), but I definitely felt it was as good, and from my perspective even more interesting, than anything Sigalas, however good, could offer at the time. But the more I think about it, the more I understand I’m just splitting hairs here. Truth is, both were very exciting. And, of course, no accounting for taste :slight_smile:

22

Amazing conversation going on here!

Sigalas is the clear leader in the poll so far and given the changes at Hatzidakis maybe [winner.gif]

23

To answer the OP: IMO, the best value Santorini Assyrtiko is currently Argyros, following the death of Haridimos Hatzidakis.

24

Hopefully we can trust the democratic system! We’ll see next week pileon

25

Maybe add Argyros to your poll. It likely won’t win, as it isn’t as well known in the US as Sigalas. But those in the know, know.

26

Thanks Mark, the poll was based on comments in the Legendary QPR thread. I wasn’t trying to get from 2 wines to one, not two to three :slight_smile:

27

We met his partner, or wife? It was late in the eve, and I am forgetting her name. Giannis explained that he wanted to give recognition to Ziros as a terroir, and Liatiko as a grape, more than Economou as a Producer. He said there was a plan in the works to build another winery not too far away to serve as a co-op, so that all of the locals in Ziros could contribute grapes and share in the success or promoting Ziros. Not sure if this has come to fruition or not.

28

This is what I was trying to tell right from the start. I really don’t see how Sigalas could be of great value from the first place and why everybody was voting it. Probably just the best known?

To me, Argyros definitely combines both the quality and reasonable pricing.

29

One of my go-to stores has the Atlantis Assyrtiko from Argyros, is it also good?

30

[whistle.gif]

31

Well, it’s great that you two agree, but as this is a consensus thread I’m going to stick with Sigalas.

Who’s right? Everyone is right. If you like something then it’s good to you. We’re all Berserkers. And 8 out of 11 voted Sigalas. At least some of those 8 know what they are talking about I’m sure!

Hopefully, some people will read this thread and the Legendary QPR thread and taste a range of the discussed producers and make up their own mind. Let’s hope that this journey has been at least as important as the destination (final list on the Legendary QPR thread.)

Thanks ever so much for taking part!

32

Depending on the price. The Atlantis range is the entry-level range of Argyros, and IIRC, these are made from purchased fruit while the higher-tier wines are made from estate fruit.

If it’s cheap, it’s a good value wine (locally they retailed at around or under 10€, so I guess $15-18 would be reasonable). However, it’s definitely not among the great Santorini Assyrtikos and - to my knowledge - it’s a “Santorini” not “Santorini Assyrtiko”, i.e. it is an AAA blend (Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri). When we visited Santorini, the Atlantis range was priced similarly to the Santo Wines Santorini and Assyrtiko wines, but were somewhat better in quality. However, none of these wines can hold a candle to Argyros Assyrtiko or the straight Santorini Assyrtikos of the other quality estates.

33

Yes, hard to argue against this. Argyros make brilliant wines and their pricing is still down-to-earth in relative terms.
Slightly off-topic, but their Vinsanto, while understandably more expensive, can be truly amazing. This, in my opinion, is possibly the only wine category on Santorini in which anyone ever did even better than Hatzidakis (although his 1998 came pretty close).

34

I’ve never had any of the Hatzidakis Vinsantos, but I do agree that the Argyros Vinsantos - especially the more expensive ones with remarkably long barrel aging regimes - are truly spectacular.

35

My vote is for Sigalas. When I can find it in NY, I’ll stock up. Usually have Atlantis on hand as it is a crowd pleaser and I feel like the best entry into Assyrtiko. I agree on Argyros being the best value.

36

So… The question is for the best value Santorini, you say Argyros is the best value and you vote for Sigalas? [scratch.gif]

37

Argyros wasn’t an option.

38

Thank you, Captain Obvious [thankyou.gif]

39

Yea between the 2 options it is but ultimately I would choose Argyros.

40

So after all this back and forth, is it going to be Argyros “by acclamation” !? [winner.gif]