Best Value Santorini Assyrtiko: Sigalas or Hatzidakis?

WINE TALK
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(C) Get each of them

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No. 12 people voted for Sigalas.

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Only because they haven’t tasted Argyros… [neener.gif]

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I wouldn’t deny that that is ‘correct’ (even though it’s all subjective.)


As I’ve said previously. Let’s put our faith in the democratic process hitsfan

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Gaia’s Thalassitis is the Assyrtiko I have most enjoyed on multiple occasions. I was fortunate to spend a total of 2 months in an assortment of Aegean islands for research/study between 2008 and 2010, and most of my experiences are from then, plus the occasional selection from the excellent Greek assortment at Ball Square Fine Wines in Somerville, MA, including some Sigalas. From the other posters on this thread it sounds like much has developed in the last 10 years, so my information is likely out of date. However, I have found Thalassitis to be better value than Sigalas. Argyros too. Of the wines I have tried, Hatzidakis I also preferred to Sigalas, so it would get my vote in this poll if I didn’t think the poll itself was a bad one because there are only two options, neither of which I would pick in a broader field.

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The democratic process? :smiley:

After asking a few people in another thread, you decided that without any other kind of process the two finalists would be Sigalas (probably the best-known producer) and Hatzidakis (acclaimed but relatively obscure producer).

Then when most people say that neither of them is good value and Argyros (or Gaia or Artemis Karamolegos) would be better value - as I have stated multiple times as well - you always reply that none of those were an option.

This has nothing to do with democratic process, because - true to WB tradition - this was a flawed poll to begin with. Instead of trying to find the best value of Santorini, we are asked which one of two not particularly good-value producers is better value. We should’ve had all the producers here to make it actually democratic. If Sigalas would’ve still be voted as the best value, then I would’ve accepted that this is the outcome of a democratic vote. Now this feels more like a joke. hitsfan

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It was a joke! A reference to a big election very soon and our future (and the world’s) is dependent on the outcome.

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I’m with those who feel Argyros is the better value over the two choices in this poll.

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Everyone is free to start a new thread/poll. I’m tired now…

50

Having enjoyed this wine before, I just bought some more to get reacquainted.

51

Jeeesus, guys… we’ve had a nice chat, some coherent, possibly both informed and informative, views being exchanged, that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Seriously, who cares about the bloody poll?

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Exactly! I’m not getting sucked into a pointless debate about it. The poll was to whittle 2 choices on another thread down to one. That a great conversation emerged, and another possible contender with it, is something to celebrate, but as so often happens here, some like to get pedantic and challenge the legitimacy of a poll/thread title/OP instead of focusing on the wine.

Unfortunately some of the best knowledge is had by some of the most pedantic and argumentative people on here and in order to gain their wonderful knowledge you have to put up with their obnoxious behaviour.

I thank everyone for sharing their amazing experience. Please try to stick to wine not quarrelling.

[truce.gif] [thankyou.gif]

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Tip of the hat for your patience and perserverance, James. . .
grouphug

I am relatively new to Assyrtiko and have enjoyed a few youngish ones. I had a Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko for the first time last night. It was a 2019. I enjoyed its fairly complex herbal, fruit, and not overwhelming acid taste profile, especially as the wine both aerated and became less cold. I took a look at the label, where it advised cellaring the wine for at least two years. Oops! What will be the positive changes to the wine I can expect if I hold off drinking good examples of Assyrtiko young? Thanks.

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Thanks, Jim.

The depth of knowledge and generosity in sharing it here is truly breathtakingly. Sidestepping a few cantankerous old men’s outbursts is a small price to pay.

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Difficult to answer this one unambiguously (not least because I haven’t tasted the '19 Sigalas Santorini :slight_smile: ), but, based on my experience of drinking and cellaring Santorini for nearly 20 years, I would say it’s quite safe to disregard this “keep for two years” precautionary labelling nonsense. The rest depends on the style and, of course, on your taste preferences. I’d say 5-10 years is certainly perfectly safe, perhaps even beneficial. And then you can track it and make up your mind.

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I’d wager to say any amount of “knowledge” must be tempered with a modicum of personal and intellectual maturity. But then… a certain amount of temperament and passion is probably also required if you want to have a really meaningful discussion [cheers.gif]

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Good point, but there is different kind of intelligence, emotional intelligence is different to other forms.

I remember watching a documentary about Warren Buffet. He was so focused on his portfolio that he had no awareness about the location of his family. His wife went out, saying “bye, honey!” Five minutes later he would say, “where’s my wife?”