2024 Paterianakis - Melissinos White (750ml)

Domaine Paterianakis is a third-generation family winery based in Peza, near Heraklion, on the island of Crete, a region with over 4,000 years of winemaking history. Founded in its current form in 1988 by Giorgos Paterianakis, a civil engineer who left construction at age 55 to return to his family's roots, the estate produced its first organic wine, the very first in Crete, in 1997. Today the winery is run by Giorgos' daughters, Emmanuela, an oenologist overseeing production, and Niki, a chemical engineer handling sales.

Melissinos White first appeared in 2000 as a blend of the indigenous Cretan variety Thrapsathiri and the French Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes come from the estate's own mountainous, organically farmed vineyards, exposed to cooling northeast winds. The wine marries two edges of the harvest, Sauvignon Blanc, typically the first grape picked in early August, and Thrapsathiri, the last variety harvested at the end of September. Thrapsathiri is an important indigenous grape often mistaken as a relative of Athiri, known for producing wines with intense aromatics, high acidity, and low alcohol.

The finished wine glows bright white and yellow with green highlights, its perfumes particularly intense, dominated by apricot, green apple, pineapple, and lemon. The palate shows pleasant structure balanced with a subtle buttery note and beautiful acidity, finishing full-bodied and long.

This is an excellent match for fatty fish, white meat with light sauces, creamy pasta dishes, and medium-spicy cheeses.