Wine secrets with Elina Dakanali

As Santorini is the most famous wine region in Greece which cultivates nine indigenous grape varieties, with unique taste and aromas due to the distinctiveness of the volcanic soil, is the best place to experience wine tasting or even try for the first time wine tasting, Elina Dakanali, Canave’s Wine Director says.

The Wine Director, Elina Dakanali, gives us tips about someone’s first wine tasting and useful information about different varieties. Elina also takes us on a journey into the world of wine and tells us why she loves her role at Canaves Oia Luxury Resorts.

1. Tell us about you, how did you start and how did you learn? Where did you train?

I studied tourism management in Switzerland. During my studies there I discovered my intrinsic curiosity and passion for wine. For this reason, I started traveling and tasting different varieties of wine around the world. At the same time, I completed the WSET diploma and started working in famous wineries.

2. Tell us a bit about your role in Canaves Oia Luxury Resorts.

I am currently serving as the Wine Director for the entire Canaves Oia Group of Companies. In my role, I am responsible for giving advice and helping customers choose their wine, training our new sommelier talents and of course selecting our extensive wine lists.

We have unique wine lists with more than 500 labels, in each of our five restaurants, that compose the top choice for every plate in order to have a holistic and memorable experience.

3. How do you work with the chefs and kitchen to marry wines/drinks and their creations? What are your tips for menu pairing?

My team of sommeliers and I are constantly working on wine tastings, exhibitions and winery visits, so that we remain up to date and be able to satisfy all kinds of pallets and preferences.

Our goal is to keep our guests satisfied and provide a great variety of wines from different parts of the world. Of course, we have an extended collection of some of the best wines Greece has to offer. After tasting every course carefully by analyzing its flavours, aromas, texture and aftertaste, we
choose the best pairings that we think are most suitable.

We always have a close relationship with our chefs and the kitchen to harmoniously combine the flavors of every plate with our wines. Of course, every guest has a different approach of wine and food pairing, so it is our job to match our suggestions to their taste.

A good tip for wine pairing is to trust your sommelier! He or she is there to enhance and lift off your gastronomic experience!

4. Tell us about the Santorini wines. Do you have any favorites?

It’s very hard to choose a favorite. Santorinean wines are very special and unique. First of all, the volcanic soil gives some special characteristics to the wines such as a distinctive minerality. The vineyard in its whole is pre-phylloxeric which means that it has some really old vines that deliver very dense and concentrated flavours.

5. If someone had to try only one variety or even a specific wine in Santorini, which would you suggest and why?

The indigenous grape of the island is assyrtiko. A winery visit or a flight in our cellar is going to be a special experience for every guest to enjoy and understand this unique character of santorinean wines. Its natural acidity makes the wines very refreshing. Distinctive minerallity, citrus aromas and tropical fruit are the main characteristics. Different vinification methods and styles of the white assyrtiko grape can be easily paired with Greek and universal cuisine.

6. What tips do you have for someone going to their first wine tasting in Santorini?

As the island of Santorini has been making wine for over 3000 years, the wine history and tradition is very rich. Also as Santorini is the most famous wine region in Greece which cultivates nine indigenous grape varieties, with unique taste and aromas due to the distinctiveness of the volcanic soil, is the best place to experience wine tasting or even try for the first time wine tasting.

Furthermore, as we have great experience in wine tasting we give the opportunity for wine tasting in our properties. Here someone could taste and explore different varieties in order to find the best choice according to his/her preferences.

In that way my only and one advice is, Let’s go for it and enjoy new experiences!
Let Santorini surprise you and make the most out of it!

Please feel free to contact dine@canaves.com for more information or for arranging your unique wine tasting experience.