#SANTORINI WINE AND HOW IT HAS DEVELOPED TO BE LOVED ALL OVER THE WORLD

A topic as I and  lot of us know about, look at the label and wonder if it is a good wine sweet,medium or dry,I don't go into a shop and ask how it has been processed etc.Personally throughout my experience and love for wine with family and friends my expert knowledge is in the taste not knowing the type of grape or process. I am  sure many people can relate to this.

Living on Santorini changed my knowledge and eagerness to learn a bit more in their development from producing the simple home-made wine which is still found to the commercial wine that is sold to the visitors visiting Santorini. The island most of  the year has greenery and this is due to a weaving formation of baskets that are grown very low to the ground for several reasons 1) To protect from winds 2) The strong rays of sunshine 3) Natural irrigation from the morning and overnight mist that sweeps over                                                         the island. 

The traditional harvesting of the grapes is done by hand using a small knife "Feredini "and I can tell you it is amazing seeing the local older generations  in their 70s-80s still picking they put me to shame at their fitness.  

The traditional way is collecting and taking back the grapes  to their canavas placed them into large stone basins and pressed in the style the island knows gathering of family and friends singing eating while the dancing if i can describe is when they will bear feet press the grapes. The juice of the grape is funneled into a type of well been later transferred to oak barrels.... This is where i stop writing about the process and leaving it to the professionals to inform you 

Local Santorini wine is not a dry wine as we know but a lovely sweet visanto  so all you who like sweet it is a must to try as they leave it in the sun to dry and become slightly like  raisins and pressed and tends to be used the following year and if you have a upset tummy it is great for helping .                                                                                      You are now going to ask me what is a good wine to buy 1:http://www.sigalas-wine.com/english/index.asp                                    2   http://www.wine-museum-koutsoyannopoulos.gr/gr 3/http://www.gaia-wines.gr/en/visit/winery-santorini                                                                                                                                                    Where ever you go on the island I am sure you will not be disappointed in the wines on the island and if you want to find a good wine tour please contact me and will recommend who I believe to be the best ....martinasantorini.somers@gmail.com  

THE EVIL EYE AND BEEN SEEN AS A GOOD LUCK FOR 2014

On the island a lot of people are inquisitive as to what is the meaning of the evil eye and what should they buy.From my enthusiasm to learn and enjoy selling I start by asking the people who believe in it. Amazing listening to reasons why and how it started.

I always believed it was only in Greece,but to my surprise the eye is used in many countries such as Africa,Spain,Italy,Asian countries and even in Ireland worn or displayed in many ways.We all have grown up with the concept of keeping a new born baby in doors for several weeks and placing a small blue medal around or attached to part of the clothing of the baby in warding off  and bringing positive for a good life and health to the baby and this still is practise.In the historical times of pirate ships the eye was placed in most cases in the hull of the ships in a form of rapping garlic in linen creating the form of the eye or painting the eye on the ship.Here in Greece the most traditional way of displaying this belief is making from a collection of beads,small pieces of material,and little trinkets that are made into mobiles or jewellery, as we don't want to acknowledge to people their negativity towards us.

 The most well known gift that is bought on the island are the bright colourful hanging ceramic balls found in Epilekton shop situated across from the famous church Panagia Platsani in the main square on the caldera.But go in and check out on their walls the traditional hanging mobiles,or ask for more information.On the island a lot of people are inquisitive as to what is the meaning of the evil eye and what should they buy.From my enthusiasm to learn and enjoy selling I start by asking the people who believe in it. Amazing listening to reasons why and how it started.

For those who are lovers or interested in ships you will love some of the mermaid wooden carvings that can be found in Epilekton shop which was also used to ward-off negativity and protection on the high seas of the pass which were displayed on the front of the pirate ships,they have become interesting and great pieces of art to be displayed as an entrance feature  or on a wall in you house.

What is the real meaning of the eye is interpreted by each person,but what I found out about the evil eye made me say "What I didn't know that "was when they say people with blue eyes can reflect the negativity in Greece and in Ireland people with green eyes also can do the same which means I who have  green eyes must be able to, but all the responses I receive are complements of how good they are. In the end it is not the colour but we all should feel good and give a positive outlook towards people and the world .          https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=churches+in+oia+santorini+greece&data=!1m4!1m3!1d5632!2d25.3811604!3d36.46242!4m20!1m19!4m8!1m3!1d4935928!2d-2.3278149!3d52.8382005!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!10b1!17b1!26m3!1e12!1e13!1e3!27m3!1schurches!2sOia%2C+Greece!3s0x1499cb8b1c44c1a9%3A0x400bd2ce2b9c750

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Epilekton/313662712081815?fref=ts
http://www.epilekton.gr/gr/

This has been copied from other text : 

The evil eye, known as μάτι (mati), "eye," as a visual device, is known to have been a fixture in Greece dating back to at least the 6th century BC, when it commonly appeared on drinking vessels. In Greece the evil eye is cast away through the process of xematiasma (ξεμάτιασμα), whereby the "healer" silently recites a secret prayer passed over from an older relative of the opposite sex, usually a grandparent  Such prayers are revealed only under specific circumstances, for according to superstitions  those who reveal them indiscriminately lose their ability to cast off the evil eye. There are several regional versions of the prayer in question, a common one being: "Holy Virgin  Our Lady, if [insert name of the victim] is suffering of the evil eye, release him/her of it."Evil repeated three times. According to custom, if one is indeed afflicted with the evil eye, both victim and "healer" then start yawning profusely.

Another "test" used to check if the evil eye was cast is that of the oil: under normal conditions, olive oil floats in water, as it is less dense than water. The test of the oil is performed by placing one drop of olive oil in a glass of water, typically holy water. If the drop floats, the test concludes there is no evil eye involved. If the drop sinks, then it is asserted that the evil eye is cast indeed. Another form of the test is to place two drops of olive oil into a glass of water. If the drops remain separated, the test concludes there is no evil eye, but if they merge, there is. There is also a third form where in a plate full of water the "healer" places three or nine drops of oil. If the oil drops become larger and eventually dissolve in the water there is evil eye. If the drops remain separated from water in a form of a small circle there isn't. The first drops are the most important and the number of drops that dissolve in water indicate the strength of the evil eye.

There is another form of the "test" where the "healer" sets on fire using a matchstick a clove which is then thrown in water. If the clove "explodes" upon touching water the evil eye was cast. If it burns out silently it wasn't.

All of the above methods are usually performed by an old lady, who is known for her healing, or a grandparent.

Santorini Fried Tomato Fritters Tomatokeftedes

RECIPE :TOMATOKEFTEDES

10-1/2 ounces lovely ripe red tomatoes (about 3)

2-1/2 ounces red onion, coarsely chopped (1 small)

3 heaping tablespoons coarsely chopped mint

1-2/3 cups all-purpose flour

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 heaping teaspoon baking powder

Olive oil, for frying 

Cut the top hats off the unpeeled tomatoes and discard. Slice the tomatoes into small pieces. Scrape off the board into a bowl but leaving  behind the excess juice. Add the chopped  onion, mint and half the flour to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper and knead in well. Leave for 10 minutes or so to soften.

Make a paste with the remaining flour, the baking powder and 1/3 cup of water. Add to the bowl and mix in well. Heat olive oil to a depth of about 5/8 inch in a large non-stick skillet until very hot. Scoop up a good tablespoon of the mixture and with another spoon, scrape this into the hot oil in lovely irregular fritters. Fry a few at a time, turning them over when golden to fry the other side. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle with a little extra salt and serve on a clean plate.

Santorini local farmers are  amazing keeping traditions that go back centuries.

Walking around with kndogeorgies last year he explains to me after many years working on the land he  has never watered his plants but as in the pass uses  the moon, winds and timing to know when to plant to get a good crop.There is no such thing as machinery as we know only the mule and backbone hard labour in preparing the land and sowing the seeds and the Santorini tomatoes are planted watered once and then left to nature to grow the only real problem the farmers have on the island are snails and they have to be painstakingly  hand picked to develop the growth of the tomato plants that are small and sweet from the nutrients of the volcanic soil