Top 10 underrated white varieties

8. Assyrtiko

This native of Santorini has proved its ability to create high quality, well structured and intensely flavoured white wines in hot conditions without losing acidity.

Those properties should make the variety an interesting candidate for the many warmer climate winemakers in countries such as Chile and Australia now looking to the Mediterranean as more appropriate inspiration than Bordeaux or Burgundy.

Indeed, 2012 saw leading Clare Valley producer Jim Barry Wines plant 600 vines of what was believed to be the first Assyrtiko in Australia after tasting wine made from the grape while on holiday in the Greek islands.

It’s still too early to see the results from this experiment, but at the time managing director Peter Barry said: “Clare is a cool district with good rainfall but we must face up to climate change and water scarcity and adapt our management appropriately. Varieties which can grow on minimal irrigation and still produce contemporary wine styles is what we all look for.”