Build your True Trip
Greece’s tradition of winemaking is a long one, dating all the way back to ancient times. Highly regarded for its premium wine production, Greece cultivated an envious reputation throughout the Mediterranean, especially during the reign of the Roman Empire. Today, Greece’s winemaking continues to flourish, conquering a loyal audience from all over the world. More and more modern wineries have started making their appearance in this thriving industry as their verdant vineyards dot the country’s beautiful terrain, and we have chosen three of our favorite wine regions to keep an eye out for your next visit to Greece.
The Nemea wine region is the largest of the Peloponnese, and where some of the finest wines of the country are made – yet it is still quite under the radar for international visitors. Enveloped by mountainous terrain, the most premium wines are produced in high-altitude vineyards on the eastern part of the region. Acclaimed for its complex red wines produced from the Agiorgitiko grape, the cooler climate promotes a slower maturity that maintains the amazing fragrance and offers an intricate character to the flavor. Domaine Skouras is a distinguished producer of Greece and it’s well-worth sampling a glass of its Agiorgitiko!
Another noteworthy wine region is Naoussa, which is located in Northern Greece and specializes in the variety known as Xinomavro. This particular grape variety, if worked properly and skillfully, can produce different styles of wine, ranging from sparkling to lighter fruity reds to tannic wines. Alpha Estate and Kir Yianni are the notable producers of the region, and while the reds typically take the lead, they also produce some amazing white wines.
Finally, it may come as a surprise, but Santorini produces some of the most flavorsome wines in Greece. Although the island is widely known for its amazing sunsets and views over the caldera and Aegean Sea, its volcanic soil helps in producing a unique selection of wines from the Assyrtiko grape variety – and that’s a lesser-known fact. Even though the strong winds of the island and scarce rainfall do not make it the ideal place to grow vines and therefore keeps the production levels smaller, the end result is simply miraculous and full of vivacity.
