Wineries of Greece

For the past two decades, Greece is armed with an ocean of indigenous cultivars, a superior climate for grape growing, and an abundance of brainpower and technological resources, today Greek wine presents exciting new, and ancient possibilities for wine lovers around the world...... Read more

Wineries of Greece

While there will never be sufficient information to establish with surety the origins of winemaking, many scholars favor the idea that winemaking started in Caucasia, then spread to Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Egypt, Greece and, from Greece, westward.  In ancient times, Greece played a crucial role in the development of the wine culture of Europe. Even with nearly two thousand years of foreign occupation taking a toll on her fortunes, many of Greece's rich viticultural resources still remain intact.  Sadly, during the 1960s, retsina came to dominate all associations with Greek wine. But for the past two decades, armed with an ocean of indigenous cultivars, a superior climate for grape growing, and an abundance of brainpower and technological resources, today Greek wine presents exciting new, and ancient possibilities for wine lovers around the world.

From regions in the north like Amyndeon and Naoussa, the noble variety Xinamavro is grown and made to perfection along with Malagouzia, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Tannat, and Sauvignon Blanc. In Nemea you will find many excellent wines made from Roditis, Moscofilero, Chardonnay, Viognier, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. It is also where the ancient grape Agiorgitiko (Saint George) has been blended with Cabernet Sauvignon to illustrious results.  The wonderful wines produced in Crete come from many varieties including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vidiano, Malvasia and Moscato for whites and Liatico, Kotsifali, Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon for Reds.  Last but certainly not least is Santorini, the ancestral home where the Aidani, Athiri, Mandilaria and Mavrotragano varietals all thrive as well as the magnificent Santorini Assyrtiko which arguably makes the finest white wine in Greece. Collapse