WINE
The Greek Vineyard Up Close
Central Greece & Attica
Peloponnese & Ionian
Rapsani (P.D.O.) High-altitude vineyards are promising for the production of red wines, and Rapsani, on the south-east slopes of Mount Olympus -home of ancient Greek gods- produces some of the country’s most serious, seductive wines. Xinomavro thrives here, too, but so do other, more arcane, varietals such as Krassato and Stavroto. The wines of Rapsani, full of ripe mulberry fruit and packed with fine tannins, are among the rising stars of the Greek vineyard.
Nemea (P.D.O.) Undoubtedly the most thrilling red wine region in southern Greece is also the country’s largest vine-growing region: Nemea, just south of the Isthmus of Corinth. Nemea is famous for its local Agiorgitiko grape. The Agiorgitiko produces wines that are full of ripe fruit, sunshine, soft sexy tannins, lots of flavour and good body. In local lore they are called the «blood of Hercules»; so deep red is their colour. There are approximately 20 wineries in the region, and the highly conscientious producers who are active here propose wines of spectacular quality. It’s worth mentioning that the diversity of Nemea’s sub-regions altitude and microclimate together with Agiorgitiko’s velvet tannins lead to the production of many different styles of wine, ranging from pleasant aromatic rosés to fresh fruity reds and extraordinary full bodied aged reds.
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Atalanti Valley – Evia (P.G.I.s) The red wines produced in these regions count a vast audience of fans. Especially the lovely powerful Syrah and the red Bordeaux blend: Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot. Still, refreshing and zesty whites can be found here, mainly Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Also check out for forgotten local red grapes, like Limniona and Mavrokoundoura. Attica (P.G.I.) The new or rediscovered wine regions in Greece in the last years are quite a few. Like Attica, a vast area where of course the wine styles within the region do vary, but all reflect an abundance of ripe flavour. This wine region is now enjoying a renaissance, thanks to the efforts of several new wine devotees who make serious wines from indigenous and cosmopolitan grapes. That said, we should keep in mind that with Athens located in Attica, the region is extremely important not only for wine production but also for wine trading.
Mantinia (P.D.O.) Look for flowery white wines and sparkling wines Mantinia, in the heart of Peloponnese, has emerged as a region with great potential for producing terroir-driven dry white wines. Its grape speciality is the pink-skinned variety Moschofilero, which flourishes on vines grown on a high-altitude plateau. Moschofilero is characterized by a delightful elegance, intense flowery character with an emphasis on rose petals aromas, together with citrus and basil notes. The most popular wine style is a still, light dry white, also consumed as an aperitif, but there are also semi-dry ones, sparklings and rosés. It appeals to wine lovers who appreciate concentrated fruit. Achaia Patras in the northern coast of the Peloponnese is the main city of Achaia, also is the designation (Patras P.D.O.) for a dry white wine from Roditis, an indigenous white grape which dominates vineyards all over the Peloponnese. Roditis from high-altitude, low-yielding vineyards of Patras and neighbours Aigialia Slopes (P.G.I.) can be the epitome of Greek white wines: rich, lemony, notably fine. Mavrodaphne of Partas (P.D.O.) is the most famous sweet red wine appellation of Greece. Robola of Cephalonia (P.D.O.) Of all seven Ionian Islands, the most important, in terms of wine production is Cephalonia. The most famous grape variety of the island, plus one of the noblest Greek varieties, Robola, produces white wines of great elegance, full of lemony fruit and zesty acidity.