Wine Review: Gavalas Vinsanto

Santorini is the island that is most renowned for its fine wine and wine production here dates back to the Bronze Age. The soil here created by many disastrous volcanic explosions is very calcareous and covered with layer upon layer of volcanic ash as well as lava and pumice. There is little rain on this island but strong winds do blow through the Cyclades making it a surprising fact that vines grow so well here and have never been plagued by disease, but the compact soil is highly porous and retains water, which helps the vines to stay nourished during the hot summer temperatures. Santorini’s vines also grow low to the ground in spiral basket-like shapes. This protects them from the wind and helps them catch the moisture in the sea fog during the long, hot summer nights.