White Grape Varieties

Aidani

Found on Santorini and other Aegean islands. Has a flowery bouquet.

Assyrtiko

This is one of Greece's best varieties and is found on the Aegean islands, especially Santorini. It covers about 65% of this volcanic island's cultivation and is the base for the production of the Santorini Appellation of Origin (A.O.). Its high acidity is sometimes mellowed by the addition of Savatiano grapes. The wines have a fruity flavor and come in many styles.

Athiri

It is grown mainly in the Aegean but is grown in northern Greece and the Peloponnese as well. The A.O. Rhodes is produced with this grape blended usually with Assyrtiko.

Debina

An indigenous variety found in Zitsa, Epirus which produces the A.O. Zitsa dry and sparkling wines. The high altitude gives a distinct freshness and fruity aromas to the wines.

Kakotrigis

A variety unique to southern Corfu.

Lagorthi

A highly promising, though sparingly planted variety found in the northwestern Peloponnese.

Malvazia

This variety is found in small quantities on the island of Paros. In the Middle Ages though, this sweet wine was widely exported from Crete. The current name was given by the Venetians who changed the name of the eastern Peloponnese coastal town of Monemvasia to Malvazia.

Moshofilero

Used to produce"Blanc de Gris" wines as the grape has a pinkish color. The German counterpart is Gerwutztraminer. This fine variety grows at high altitudes in central Peloponnese. The A.O. Mantinia has a distinct fruity bouquet and high acidity.

Muscat

There is a varietal aroma in these wines, which are produced in a range of styles from dry to dessert wines. It is grown on Cephalonia, Rhodes, Samos and in Patra and gives these areas one of their A.O. wines.

Robola

A variety characterized by a rich aroma. Found mainly on the island of Cephalonia, it is one of the most expensive Greek grapes.

Roditis

This variety is cultivated in most of the Greek wine regions. The grape skin is either white or light red. It is used to make the Patra and Anhialos A.O.s. Roditis' quality increases with the altitude at which the wineyards grow.

Savatiano

Due to its light taste, these grapes represent the traditional base of the typical Retsina resinated wine. However, there has been dramatic changes in the wines produced with this grape, mainly because of technological advances. It is the most widespread variety grown in Attica and Euboea. It amounts to about 15% of total Greece wine grape production.

Sideritis

A variety found in the northern Peloponnese, close to Patra.

Tsaoussi

This grape is grown on the island of Cephalonia and is blended with the Robola variety.

Vertzami

A low profile variety found mainly on Lefkada.

Vidiano

Cretan variety that gives best results when grown at high altitudes.

Villana

This is central and eastern Crete's main white variety and fully comprises the A.O. Peza. The wines produced with this grape usually have floral aromas.

International Varieties

Chardonnay, Semillion, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Ugni Blanc.
Chardonnay is probably the most popular among the international grapes grown in Greece and it is usually aged in oak barrels and sometimes even fermented there.

Red Grape Varieties

Aghiorgitiko

The name comes from the ancient town of St. George, today called Nemea. A grape unique to this area, it is southern Greece's best. As the altitude at which it grows changes the attributes of the grape, the styles and character of the wines produced with it are varied. The young wines have a fruity olfactory approach and, when aged in barrels, the wines develop a rich bouquet and full body.

Kotsifali

This variety is unique to Archanes and Peza. Because of its sweetness and lack of color, it is used mostly in blends with the Mandilaria grape.

Krasato

An indigenous grape, part of the A.O. Rapsani in Thessaly.

Liatiko

This grape used to be the base for the sweet wine Malvazia. Today it is cultivated in central and eastern Crete as well as the Cyclades and produces the A.O.s Dafnes and Sitia. Its name is probably derived from the Greek word for the month of July, the ripening month for this grape.

Limnio

A grape dating back to ancient Greece, it is native to Limnos island where it is known as Kalambaki. It is cultivated in Chalkidiki as well and provides the base for the A.O. Playies Melitona. Produces deep-colored wines with distinct varietal aromas.

Mandilaria

A fairly common grape on the Aegean islands and Crete. It is used as component of the A.O.s Paros, Archanes, Peza. In addition, it is the varietal grape used for the A.O. Rhodes, where sometimes is called Amorgiano.

Mavrodaphne

This grape is unique to Achaia and Cephalonia – produces sweet wines which are usually aged in barrels for many years.

Messenikola

This grape is grown in the area of Thessaly bearing the same name. The A.O. Messenikola was established in 1994.

Negoska

This grape is used as a minor component of the A.O. Goumenissa. It contributes to lowering the pronounced acidity and tannins of the Xynomavro grape.

Stavroto

Grapes used for the third variety of A.O. Rapsani – it is also known as Ambelakiotiko.

Sykiotis

Those grapes accounts for about the 10% of wine grape cultivation in Anhialos and produce dry wine.

Xynomavro

Competes with Aghiorgitiko as Greece's best grape. Produces the A.O.s Naoussa and Amindeo and represents the base for the A.O.s Goumenissa and Rapsani. Barrel aging improves its quality – the wines have high acidity, bright color and rich aromas.

International Varieties

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Rouge, Refosco, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah.
Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the wine with the most distinct varietal aroma and is often aged in oak barrels.
The Grenache variety has high alcohol potential.
Refosco can be found in the western Peloponnese and is characterized by its ruby color.