| Agiorgitiko |
Known
alternately as St. George that is the principal grape of
the Nemea region. It is full-bodied, assertive, and can be
blended with other varieties. It is Greece’s second
most planted red grape. |
| Amorgiano |
A rare, red grape grown in the Aegean islands and Crete. A
fruity taste, soft aroma and rubycolor
with violet reflections characterize the rose wines. It
is also called Mandelaria and Kountoura Mavri. Brisk intense
aromas with a spicy and dark warm red color characterize
the reds. |
| Assyrtiko |
A
top quality vine that is originally from Santorini. The grape
produces white wines of substance that has the ability to
age. It produces wines with honeysuckle and citric aromas
with good acidity. Click
here to
see pictures of the Assyrtiko grapes as cultivated in Santorini. |
| Athiri |
The
Athiri grape has a bright, golden green color and is small
and juicy. Its wine's, with a fruity and fresh taste, have
a soft aroma and vibrant color and caress all the senses.
Because of the type of vine and climatic conditions, yield
per acre is small. Athiri is by far the most widely planted
white variety on the island. Aside from Rhodes it is also
cultivated in other parts of Greece such as Santorini and
Halkidiki. |
| Debina |
A
light and refreshing variety that is responsible for making
the white wines of Zitsa, in the northwest corner of Greece.
It is grown at a high altitude and retains a high level of
acidity. |
| Liatiko |
An
ancient vine from Crete that produces a soft wine that is
usually blended with the Madelaria grape. |
| Limnio |
An
ancient vine originally from the island of Lemnos, but is
now grown throughout Greece. It is a red grape that produces
a full-bodied wine with a good level of acidity. It is commonly
blended with other wines. |
| Mandelaria |
A
thick-skinned black grape that is high in tannins which is
commonly blended with softer grapes. |
| Moschofilero |
A
deep pink-skinned grape that is used to make a strongly perfumed
white wine. The Moschofilero grape is grown primarily on
the plateau of Mantinia in the Peloponnese and is the only
grape allowed in the Mantinia appellation wine. Conditions
are usually good enough to warrant a harvest in October.
This grape can also be used to make fruity and spicy rose
wines, as well. |
| Robola |
A
white grape that produces a powerful and lemony dry white
wine. The grape is grown throughout Greece, and is the grape
variety for the Cephalonia Appellation. The Robola grape
is early ripening with high acidity levels. It can be made
into a single variety wine or used in a blend. |
| Roditis |
A
slightly pink-skinned grape traditionally grown in the Peloponnese.
The vine is susceptible to powdery mildew. It ripens late,
yet retains its acidity even though it is primarily grown
in the hotter climate of central Greece. The wine can be
made either white or rose, and is often blended with Savatiano
to make retsina. |
| Savatiano |
Greece's
most widely planted white wine grape variety. It is particularly
resistant to drought and is the primary ingredient in retsina.
Naturally low Guide to the Greek Grape Varieties Continued
in acidity, Savatiano is commonly blended with Roditis or
Assyrtiko. If picked early and vinified carefully, Savatiano
can produce well-balanced dry white wines. |
| Xinisteri |
Cyprus'
most commonly planted white grape. It is commonly used to
make the dessert wine Commandaria, as well as the island's
white wines. |
| Xynomavro |
The
most common red grape variety planted in Greece. Its name
literally means "acid black". The wines, when young, can
be harsh, but age very well. It is grown throughout northern
and central Greece. Once produced, the wines tend to be soft
with good acidity and spicy aromas. |
