[caption id="attachment_1703" align="alignleft" width="300"] Fabulous wine and amazing views[/caption]
Santorini has been known by the world over for its natural beauty, with its whitewashed houses and captivating sea views, it is one the world's most romantic destinations. In Santorini, you'll not only be captivated by its beauty and atmosphere but also have a taste of the local wines which are now becoming more well-known throughout the rest of the world, as many of Santorini's wineries are open to the public for wine tasting and wine tours.
Once you've tried a glass of Santorini wine, you'll never look back, and it'll just leave you wanting more. You'll experience unique, spicy flavors coming through which combine to create wines of superb quality and color.
[caption id="attachment_1705" align="alignright" width="273"] Wine tasting in Santorini - Be spoilt for choice![/caption]
The growth of the vineyards plays a vital role in the quality of the wines produced in Santorini, which is affected by the type of soil, and the low rainfall and climate in the region.
The soil, in particular, affects the in the outcome of grapes produced by the vineyards. The eruption of the volcano, Thera, on the island, in years gone by, left a combination of volcanic ash, pumice stone and many pieces of solidified lava, as well as sand.
The elements within the soil on the island, are, however, rich in essential minerals, which produce wines with a low PH, resulting in a high acidity which gives the wines their spicy flavor.
As the island experiences low rainfalls, the fog from the volcano also acts as a water source and there is a limited water supply restrained in the soil. The sea mist is absorbed into the soil, and the salty spray on the vineyards adds to the flavor and quality of the grapes. The cool, summer breezes help to maintain the acidity of the vines on the island and prevent diseases. Hence, Santorini provides a favorable environment for the vines to flourish.
[caption id="attachment_1704" align="alignright" width="300"] 'Kouloura' method of cultivating vines[/caption]
The method of cultivation is rather unusual and plays a significant role in the harvest. The method used to cultivate the vineyards is known as 'kouloura,' where the vines are "woven into continuous circles." In this manner, they form a basket which acts as a shield against the elements, and the vines tend to appear more like bushes.
There has been considerable development among the wineries on Santorini. Now the public can take a tour around the wineries, see the production line and be spoilt with some fabulous wines to taste.
Santos Wines is a well-established winery, which has become popular with tourists, as it produces spectacular wines and has some beautiful viewing points for guests. It has also come to be a popular wedding venue in Santorini. Other wineries which are worth noting, are Argyros Estate, Gaia, and Boutaris. The island also boasts a Wine Museum at Koutsoyannopoulos.