Mavrotragano - Grape Variety

Mavrotragano makes up 2% of the vineyard area of Santorini. Its name means black and crisp and it has been compared to Mourvèdre. It was used to add aroma to vinsanto on Santorini and must be fully ripe to avoid structural coarseness. The vine had all but disappeared but was rescued by Paris Sigalas, who saw the potential quality. Sigalas used it for producing a sweet red wine, but in the 1990s realised that it would make a fine dry wine.