Greek Grape Varieties
The Greece Travel Secrets guide to Greek grape varieties to help you know which wines to choose when dining in restaurants or buying wine in Greece.
Some Greek grape varieties have names that are hard to pronounce, and sound unfamiliar if you're used to ordering your favourite chardonnay or merlot when travelling. They cover the alphabet from Agiorgitiko to Xinomavro, but what are these Greek grape varieties? Let's take a look.
Greek Grape Varieties
Some Greek grape varieties are indigenous to Greece, and don't grow anywhere else. Others are related to more familiar-sounding grapes grown around the world. Some vineyards have also experimented with growing non-Greek grapes, like chardonnay or shiraz, with mixed degrees of success.
There's also the all-important question of terroir. Santorini, for example, is at roughly the same latitude as southern California, but has a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, and its own distinctive volcanic soil, so winemaking here is very different from somewhere like Sonoma or Napa Valley.
Agiorgitiko is a name you'll come across, especially in the Peloponnese, where it grows widely. It's native to the Nemea region, in the very north-east of the Peloponnese, and is one of the Greek grape varieties that you can compare to a more familiar name: Beaujolais Nouveau. Agiorgitiko produces red wines that are light and fruity, like a good Beaujolais Nouveau, but unlike the French wine it isn't meant to be drunk immediately but can improve with aging over a few years.
Kotsifali is another commonly-seen name, and this is native to Crete. However, because Cretan wines are among the top Greek wines and are increasingly sold throughout Greece and overseas, you may well come across it elsewhere. On its own it produces a bold but subtle red wine, and it also lends itself well to blending. We sampled some while touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete.
Liatiko is also native to Crete and produces good red wines, but ones that are a little spicier on the palate. It's also one of the varieties used to produce the blended sweet red wine, Malvasia.
Limnio is a Greek grape variety that's native to, not surprisingly, the island of Lemnos/Limnos. It has been used here for hundreds if not thousands of years to produce a red wine by itself, but it also blends well with a large number of other grape varieties including non-Greek grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. It's a robust wine that goes well with meat and game.
Our Pick of the Guides to Greece
Mandilaria is a red Greek grape variety that is grown on many islands, including the two big wine-making islands of Crete and Rhodes. It's confusing because it goes by different names in different places, including Amorgiano, Kontoura, and variations on the name Mandalaria. It's commonly blended with other wines to make red wines that are rich in colour but still fairly light-bodied.
Mavrodafni is another common Greek grape variety that is plentiful in the Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands. In these islands, Kefalonia has several good wineries. Mavrodafni grapes are blended with currants to produce a fortified sweet dessert wine.
Mavroudi is one of the oldest-known Greek grapes and it grows all over the Greek mainland. Mavro means 'black' and this grape produces very dark red wines, with a sweetish aroma and a robust and distinctive flavor. It's one of those wines people tend to love or hate, like retsina. But you should at least try it to see which camp you're in.
Negoska is a grape variety mainly grown in Macedonia and produces full-bodied red wines that are often rich with fruity flavours. As such, it's a wine that often appeals to non-Greek palates.
Romeiko grapes grow most widely on Crete and in the Cyclades. It's a very versatile grape that can be used to make red, white, and rosé wines, with equal success.
Vertzami is a grape that grows well in the Ionian Islands, in the Peloponnese, and elsewhere in mainland Greece, as well as on Cyprus. It produces a good quality red wine that is suitable for immediate drinking and which has a deep red colour and a taste of both red berries and spices.
Xinomavro is a Greek grape variety that grows in several parts of the mainland, and the vines have even been exported and grown in China and several other countries. It produces a high quality red wine that benefits from aging, and is a full-bodied wine that has been compared to the Italian Barolo wines. It's definitely one to try if you come across it.
Other food and drink pages
Where to Eat in Athens and Piraeus
If you're wondering where to eat in Athens and Piraeus we have a few suggestions including some favorites around the Acropolis, Omonia Square, and Syntagma.
Greek Alcoholic Drinks
Greek alcoholic drinks include distinctly Greek drinks such as ouzo, Metaxa, retsina, raki, tsikoudia and tsipouro, but also Greek wines and Greek beers.
The Cretan Diet
Studies have shown the Cretan Diet as one of the healthiest in the world, involving lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, and moderate amounts of wine.
Athens Food Tours
Athens Food Tours are being introduced by new company The Greek Fork, and will include tours of the Central Market, and the best street food.
Athens Eaters Guide
Athens, an Eater's Guide to the City, is published by Culinary Backstreets, who do walking food tours in Athens and the book recommends the best places to eat.
What Is a Greek Salad
What is a Greek Salad – a Greek Salad is made up of tomatoes, cucumber, onions, green pepper, olives, and feta cheese.
Santorini Wineries
Visiting Santorini wineries is a popular activity on this Greek island in the Cyclades, whose volcanic soil provides a distinctive terroir.
How to Make Petimezi
How to make Petimezi, the sweet Cretan syrup made from wine must, is explained to Greece Travel Secrets.
Manousakis Wine Tasting
We visit and tour the Manousakis Winery on Crete with a wine-tasting and a chance to buy their tsikoudia, sea salt, olive oil and other goodies.
Corfu’s Special Cuisine
Corfu’s special cuisine includes dishes like sofrito and pastitsade and the chance to try ginger beer and kumquats.
Zacharioudakis Winery
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Zacharioudakis Winery near Ancient Gortina in southern Crete, and does a vineyard tour arranged by our guide from Go Crete.
The Herb Man of Kouses
Greece Travel Secrets visits the Cretan Botano herbs and spices shop near Matala in southern Crete in search of the herb man of Kouses.
Corfu Food and Drink
Information for travelers on Corfu Food and Drink including restaurants and tavernas, Corfiot specialties, desserts, wine and other Greek drinks like ouzo.
Athens Culinary Tours
Athens culinary tours are among the food walking tours offered by an unusual company, Culinary Backstreets.
Crete Olive Oil Tour
For a Crete olive oil tour Greece Travel Secrets visits Biolea, one of the few olive oil factories on Crete that you can visit.
What Is Metaxa?
What is Metaxa? Metaxa is an amber Greek spirit combining brandy made by distilling wine, sweet wine from Samos and a secret recipe of Mediterranean botanicals.
History of Tzatziki and a Recipe
Greece Travel Secrets tells the history of the classic Greek dish tzatziki, with a recipe for making your own yogurt and cucumber dip.
Ten Best Dishes in Greece
Greece Travel Secrets lists the ten best dishes to try in Greece, especially if it’s your first visit, and also discover the best places to find them.
Zakynthos Winemaker
Antonis Maroudas is a Zakynthos winemaker who lives on the 'wine road' and is one of the people who make Zakynthos.
Corfu Beer Festival
The First Corfu Beer Festival took place in Arillas in North West Corfu and celebrated the beer of Bavaria and of Corfu, in the Ionian islands of Greece.
Best Cocktail Bars in Athens
Two of the best cocktail bars in Athens, MoMix Kerameikos and The Clumsies, are making creative cocktails using that most Greek of Greek spirits, Metaxa.
Goules Taverna Crete
The Goules Taverna in Goulediana, south of Rethymnon, has been called one of the best tavernas on Crete and Greece Travel Secrets recently visited them.
Touring the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete
Greece Travel Secrets tours the Lyrarakis Winery on Crete and learns about Crete grape varieties such as plyto, dafni, vidiano, vilana, mandilari and kotsifali.
Greek Ouzo
Greek ouzo is an aniseed-based aperitif made all over the country but especially on Lesbos, tasting like a Greek pastis or arak and usually drunk with water.
Latest Posts
-
The Lesser-Known Traditions of Greek Easter
Step off the beaten path this spring and discover the enchanting — and often surprising — Easter traditions found across Greece. -
Easter in the Mystical Castle of Monemvasia
In the castle town of Monemvasia, with its dramatic medieval backdrop and sea views, Easter is a deeply spiritual and atmospheric experience. -
Sifnos: Greece’s Hidden Culinary Star on the Rise
Sifnos, a Cycladic island, is gaining fame for its rich culinary heritage, especially the beloved melopita honey-cheese tart. -
Easter in Leonidio: A Tapestry of Light, Culture and Cliffs
In Leonidio, Easter comes alive with handmade hot air balloons in the sky and lanterns made from bitter oranges in the streets. -
April 9 Strike in Greece to Impact Public Transport, Ferries and Air Travel
Transportation and travel across Greece will face disruptions on Wednesday, April 9, as public transport, ferry and aviation workers join a nationwide strike called by Greek labor unions. -
Ancient Theater of Lefkada Brought Fully to Light Following Systematic Excavation
The Greek Culture Ministry has announced that the first ancient theater ever identified in the Ionian Islands has recently been brought fully to light on Lefkada, revealing an impressive monument that… -
Seven Greek Traditions Recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage
From traditional barrel-making to age-old folk dances, seven new entries on Greece’s National Inventory preserve the country’s living heritage for future generations. -
Greek Air Traffic Controllers to Hold 24-hour Strike, Disrupting Flights on April 9
The Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Union have announced a 24-hour strike for Wednesday, April 9, in response to the protest called by the Civil Servants’ Confederation (ADEDY). The strike is being h… -
Ten Best Budget Hotels on Santorini
Greece Travel Secrets picks the ten best budget hotels on Santorini, some with caldera views, some near beaches and some close to the heart of Fira. -
No Ferries in Greece on April 9 as Seamen Join Nationwide Strike
The Pan-Hellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) has announced its participation in the 24-hour strike called by the General Confederation of Greek Labor (GSEE) on Wednesday, April 9. The strike, which will…
Why not sign up for our Greece Travel Secrets newsletter? Each week you'll get emailed our regular Greece Travel Secrets Magazine for news, information, and inspiration for planning your travels in Greece.
As a welcome gift you'll also get a free e-book, Heaven on Earth. This contains 19 of Mike's favourite stories that he's written about travelling in Greece for newspapers and magazines over the years.
You'll find it over at Substack. Check out one of the Archive issues to find the Subscribe button.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, but at no cost to you.
BUY A JOURNAL TO RECORD YOUR OWN GREECE TRAVEL SECRETS!
LEARN A LITTLE GREEK BEFORE YOU GO!
FOLLOW OUR GREECE VIDEOS
ON YOUTUBE
No words or images to be used without prior permission.
We do not sell personal information: see our Privacy Policy.
California Consumer Privacy Act - CCPA: Sale Of Personal Information
Greece Travel Secrets does not sell any information it gathers for any reason. It has not collected or sold any personal information in the last twelve months or ever in the past.
This website was built using Site Build It!
