Vostilidi Grape Variety

Vostilidi Grape Variety

Vostilidi is an excellent Greek variety that can be found in the Heptanese. It thrives in relatively poor limestone soils, on semi-mountainous slopes favoured by a microclimate influenced by proximity to the sea, with hot summer days balanced by evening dew and of course abundant winter rains. By all accounts, the Ionian Islands offer an abundance of such locations. Vostilidi vines have low to moderate yields per hectare, produce medium-sized, coarse-skinned, golden-green vines that turn golden when ripe and have a strongly astringent flavour, ripening toward the end of August, and are disease and drought resistant.

The grapes produced from it are tannic and this passes into the wine and characterizes it. Vostilidi has moderate to high acidity depending on the altitude where it is grown and gives wines with balanced acidity.

In the past there was confusion over the identity of the variety, since Vostilidi was thought to be the same as Ribolla Gialla from the Italian region of Friuli or Rebula from Slovenia. However, phylogenetic analysis has shown that the Greek, Heptanesian Vostilidi is a distinct variety. It is no coincidence that in Kefalonia and Zakynthos today there are ancient vines, whose cultivation remains traditional, gentle and even without the use of herbicides, while alcoholic fermentation during winemaking takes place at low temperatures.

Vostilidi gives a light golden-green color, with a metallic taste and special aromas that include citrus fruits, peach, lemon, apple, etc. Its taste “fills” and cools, maintaining a long aftertaste. It is so special that it still impresses every wine connoisseur, deservedly confirming its reputation as an emblematic variety of the Ionian Islands.

It pairs wonderfully with seafood and white meat dishes, but its lively character makes it extremely enjoyable as a refreshing drink as well.