Greeks have been making wine for thousands of years, but only recently have Greek food
and wine tours seen a renaissance and become much more popular. Starting with Santorini
and ending in Northern Greece, Greek winemakers are taking more risks, focusing on local
grapes and producing excellent results.
Here are just a few varieties you can expect to try in a Greek tasting:
Assyrtiko
The most famous white wine grape that is indigenous to the island of Santorini (and put
Greek wines on the map). Definitely worth trying in many different forms, this unique variety
can be enjoyed fresh or barrel aged and is a reflection of the mineral, volcanic soil it grows in.
Aidani
Another excellent white wine variety found in Santorini, Aidani is more floral and soft and
often paired with Assyrtiko to soften the austere, crispness and high alcohol content of the
former.
Moschofilero
A white, floral, aromatic grape mostly grown in the Peloponnese and widely drunk by the
Greeks as an ‘easy’ wine that you will often find in taverns.
Roditis
One of the most planted grape varieties throughout Greece, Roditis is often combined with
other varieties and consumed as an ‘every day’ wine.
Malagouzia
A highly aromatic white wine, this variety was virtually extinct until it was brought back in
the 70’s/80’s and is rapidly gaining traction as a ‘love it or hate it’ wine – with most people
choosing the former.
Xinomavro
A red grape variety widely planted in Northern Greece, that gets less sun and more rain, this
is truly a rising star for Greek reds.
Mavrotragano
Following closely behind Xinomavro, this red wine variety grown in Santorini is introducing a
complexity people did not know existed in Greek reds. Its rising popularity from the point of
almost extinction proves this variety will soon counter Assyrtiko for another star on
Santorini’s wine map.
Agiorgitiko
Probably the most widely planted red varietal in Greece, this grows in the region of Nemea in
the Peloponnese, an area of stunning Mediterranean beauty. It produces many different
styles of wine from fresh to complex and aged.
Contact us to book your wine tour today!