Ktima Biblia Chora – Sole Vidiano 2023

The 2023 Sole Vidiano Assyrtiko from Ktima Biblia Chora is a fascinating marriage of two celebrated Greek island varieties: Vidiano, the flagship white grape of Crete, and Assyrtiko, the iconic white from Santorini. It's fittingly ironic that the wine is labeled "Sole" because it's not solely Vidiano – the 8% Assyrtiko brings a splash of vibrant acidity and minerality to the lush stone-fruit notes of Vidiano. The result is a wine from Northern Greece (PGI Pangeon) that brilliantly showcases the strengths of these southern island varieties.

On both nose and palate, this wine radiates pure apricot, with accents of lemon zest and a creamy mouthfeel. The Assyrtiko lends a bracing acidity, adding freshness and depth to Vidiano's rounded texture. This dynamic balance leads to a long, mineral-infused finish, creating a wine that's lively, layered, and compelling.

Some wines, while they may never hit the 100-point mark, are irreplaceable in certain pairings. With grilled pork belly, for instance, I'd take this over even the most prestigious Grand Cru Chardonnays from Burgundy. The apricot richness, bright acidity, and silky texture of the Sole Vidiano Assyrtiko are unbeatable with this dish, creating a memorable match that's hard to rival.

The 2023 vintage confirms the consistent quality of this Northern Greek Vidiano-Assyrtiko blend. The 2020 vintage, which was also rated 93 points, showed the same convincing profile, and the 2023 matches it across the board – tasted multiple times, it fully deserves its 93 points. And the award for best wine pairing with grilled pork belly.