Athiri
Encyclopedia
Athiri or Athiri Aspro is a white Greek wine
grape used to make Retsina
on the island of Rhodes
.
The grape is noted for its lemon
character and in other parts of Greece
it is often blended with Assyrtiko
. In other areas it is blended with Vilana
and Ladikino.
Its close association with Rhodes has developed in the use of "Rhodes" as a synonym for the grape that can be appear on Greek wine label
s.
Greek wine
Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. The earliest evidence of Greek wine has been dated to 6,500 years ago where wine was produced on a household or communal basis. In ancient times, as trade in wine became extensive, it was transported from end to end of the...
grape used to make Retsina
Retsina
Retsina is a Greek white resinated wine that has been made for at least 2000 years. Its unique flavor is said to have originated from the practice of sealing wine vessels, particularly amphorae, with Aleppo Pine resin in ancient times. Before the invention of impermeable glass bottles, oxygen...
on the island of Rhodes
Rhodes
Rhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
.
The grape is noted for its lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
character and in other parts of Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
it is often blended with Assyrtiko
Assyrtiko
Assyrtiko or Asyrtiko is a white Greek wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini. Assyrtiko is widely planted in the arid volcanic-ash-rich soil of Santorini and other Aegean islands, such as Paros...
. In other areas it is blended with Vilana
Vilana
Vilana is a white Greek wine grape variety planted primarily in Crete. The grape is a difficult one to cultivate and produces delicate wines rarely seen outside of Greece....
and Ladikino.
Its close association with Rhodes has developed in the use of "Rhodes" as a synonym for the grape that can be appear on Greek wine label
Wine label
Wine labels are important sources of information for consumers since they tell the type and origin of the wine. The label is often the only resource a buyer has for evaluating the wine before purchasing it...
s.