Spourtiko grape

An early variety with a short growing cycle and sparse bunches of golden-yellow berries.

Gives a wine with its own moderately floral aroma, with citrus — grapefruit and lemon — and bright acidity. The wines tend to be light in alcohol: ripeness much above 12% is hard to reach.

Plays a practical role in the vineyard: it helps pollinate Maratheftiko, which flowers poorly on its own, and is often planted among it. Its thin skin gave it the name, from “spourto”, to burst. DNA analysis links it closely to Ofthalmo.