Agiorgitiko
When aged in oak, it displays a deep colour, concentrated character of red fruits and aromatic complexity. Rich in body, with high quality and ripe tannins. When bottled young, it is an easy drink- ing wine, with medium acidity, soft tannins and fresh aromas of red fruits.
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Aidani
Steely, elegant and floral wines, with fresh acidity and round texture. Used mainly in Santorini in blends to round off and soften the austere, crisp and sometimes high-alcohol Assyrtiko.
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Assyrtiko
Broad on the palate, with fresh and crisp acidity and high levels of alcohol. On the flavour profile there are distinctive citrus fruit aromas and intense minerality. Aged wines reveal a more solid structure and increased aromatic complexity.
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Athiri
Fresh, elegant, fruity wines with moderate to high alcohol, medium-bodied and soft acidity. Adds suppleness and softness to the more angular Assyrtiko, but many good varietal examples can be found.
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Avgoustiatis
Avgoustiatis produces wines with a deep, vibrant, purple red color, intense aromas of ripe red fruit and Mediterranean herbs, usually supported by elegant oak, while on the palate they have a round, medium full body, a moderate level of fine grained tannins and moderately high alcohol.
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Dafni
Dafni is a white grape variety found in the Heraklion prefecture of Crete. It produces wines with aromas reminiscent of bay leaf, other aromatic herbs and citrus fruits, with a medium alcohol content and medium acidity. A variety to please people that enjoy rich wines but dislike high alcohol levels.
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Debina
Lemony aroma, high acidity, light-bodied and usually low in alcohol. Very elegant. Can be still and dry or semi-sparkling (dry or semi-sweet). The effervescent variations can be excellent.
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Fokiano
Planted mostly on the Aegean islands, red Fokiano yields dry red wines, refreshing rosés as well as sweet wines, with pale color and high alcohol. It is said that Ikaria’s Pramnios oenos, a wine that was referred to Homer’s scripts, was produced from this grape variety.
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Kidonitsa
As the name suggests, since kidoni is “quince” in Greek, this emerging variety has intense aromas, reminiscent of quince, together with ripe peaches and an underlying minerality. On the palate it is soft, juicy and enveloping.
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Kotsifali
Pale-coloured, a truly Mediterranean variety, with high alcohol content, intense red fruit aromas and moderate acidity. Kotsifali needs a blending partner that can add colour, acidity and tannins, usually Mandelaria.
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Liatiko
Wines with moderate colour intensity, aromatic and with moderate acidity on a linear palate. When sun-dried, the variety displays a different character, has higher acidity and concentration while flavours become more powerful and complex.
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Limnio
An ancient grape variety, first mentioned by Homer, suffused with fresh herb and small-berried fruit aromas, coming across with clarity and intensity. On the palate it has moderate tannins, colour, a moderately full body and relatively low acidity.
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Limniona
Another emerging variety that, despite being a “work in progress” for many producers, has raised great expectations. Full of minerality and fresh herbs on the nose while the palate is multi-layered, with a highly focused acidity.
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Malagousia
Intense, complex and idiosyncratic aromatic profile with ripe peaches and apricots coupled with hints of fresh green bell pepper. Moderate acidity, high extract and a full palate. When aged in oak, it shows excellent development and ageing potential.
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Mandelaria
The most deep-coloured variety in Greece, with a relative lack of body and intensity of aromas and flavours, but plenty of acidity and tannin. Therefore, Mandelaria frequently acts as a blending partner, but single varietal examples can be interesting.
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Mavrodaphne
Usually associated with a pale tawny-red, sweet, fortified wine. Silky, fine-grained and faintly tannic; impressive and extraordinarily complex when aged in oak barrels for years, even decades. Very promising dry varietal reds too, which are gaining momentum.
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Mavrotragano
A recent discovery, with dense colour, concentrated and deep on the nose, but without a single note of burnt character. Rich on the palate and coated with graceful tannins that can stand up to two years in oak. A rising star.
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Messenikola Black
A red grape variety coming from Thessaly, with pale color, intense red and black fruitiness, soft tannins and balanced on the palate. Usually vinified together with the international Syrah and Carignan.
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Monemvasia
White grape variety yielding wines abounding with notes of citrus and white-fleshed fruit, often tenderly placed on a mineral “backdrop” and possessing medium body, moderate to high alcohol and sufficiently refreshing acidity.
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Moschofilero
Intense flowery character, with an emphasis on rose petal aromas, citrus and fresh fruit. On the palate it has fresh flavours, crisp acidity and medium to low alcohol levels.
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Muscat of Alexandria
Aromatic Variety, produces wines of appetizing fruity aromas, reminiscent of ripe grapes, citrus fruits and flowers; its wines are of medium acidity and balanced palate.
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Negoska
Dark and fruity with medium acidity and tannins, is the perfect blending partner for Xinomavro yielding superbly unique reds and rosés wines.
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Plyto
Plyto is a white grape variety growing in Crete, where it produces wines with a refreshing lemony acidity, a characteristic that is at odds with Crete’s climatic conditions. It is usually mixed with the fuller, creamier Vidiano or other Cretan varieties.
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Robola
Aromatic, fresh wines of exceptional quality with delicate citrus and mineral aromas. Very balanced, with crisp lemony acidity and medium body. Depth of fruit and complexity. Can be interesting when aged in bottle.
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Roditis
Pink-coloured variety. High levels of fruit, often reminiscent of ripe melon and honey, intense aromas and flavours. The palate has a broad framework and a refreshing, almost Sauvignon Blanc-like, lemony finish.
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Savatiano
Has the potential to produce wines with aromatic intensity, high fruit levels while being balanced and juicy on the palate. Surprisingly elegant and aromatic when sourced from cooler sites and/or old vines.
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Sideritis
Pink skinned variety, grown mainly in northwest Peloponnese, producing crisp white wines with fruity and spicy aromas, medium body and moderate alcohol.
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Thrapsathiri
White grape variety, originating in Crete. It gives wines with fruity aromas of peach and melon, floral characteristics, medium acidity and high alcohol content. Thrapsathiri is a variety for rich, round but not too intense or heavy wines.
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Vidiano
Elegant but highly defined aromas on the nose, suggesting florality together with ripe stone fruits. On the palate it is medium in body, but shows extract and minerality. Emerging varietal with claims for top quality.
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Vilana
Moderate to intense floral and spicy aromatic profile, especially when planted in low-fertility vineyards. Moderate to high alcohol content, soft, yet balanced, acidity and an extremely refreshing palate.
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Vlahiko
Vlahiko gives wines that have a bright but never deep ruby red colour, with intense and focused aromas and flavours suggesting fresh red berry fruit, green leaves and sweet spices. On the palate, alcohol is moderately low, tannins are discreet and fine grained, while acidity is elevated.
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Vostilidi
Vostilidi is a rare, yet exciting, variety of the Ionian Sea. The wines are rich and honeyed with aromas of ripe fruits. Alcohol levels are high and there is a characteristic phenolic texture in the wines.
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White Muscat
Outstanding complexity of fragrant rose petal, ripe fruit and bergamot flavours. Refreshing on the palate with moderate acidity and ageing ability. When aged in oak, sweet versions gain an intricate spiciness while retaining a remarkable freshness.
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Xinomavro
Producing wines that rise to prominence with aging, it displays a bright red colour, fine grained but firm tannins, solid structure and elegance. A complex aromatic character, with distinct aromas red fruits, tomatoes and olives. It usually has aromas of oak, with subtle hints of spices, dried prunes, tobacco and nuts. Long ageing potential in bottle.
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Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep, opaque colour, with vibrant nose, full of black ripe fruit aromas and hints of cedar. Firm, tannic and structured on the palate, with moderate to high alcohol and moderate acidity. Wines to age.
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Chardonnay
Intense, ripe and rich fruit aromas and flavours, coupled with a structured palate, full body, moderate to high alcohol levels and moderate acidity. More often than not, aged or fermented in oak.
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Merlot
Deep red in colour. Intense nose with aromas of ripe cherry and red berry fruits, together with sweet notes of chocolate, toffee and coffee. Full on the palate, round, soft tannins and a moderately high alcohol.
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Sauvignon Blanc
Greek wines from Sauvignon Blanc are usually very intense on the nose, full of freshness and character and displaying aromas of grass, lemon and more tropical fruit. Crisp acidity on the palate, moderate alcohol and medium body. Some oak fermented examples can be excellent and even be aged.
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Syrah
Profound, opaque colour. Dense nose, full of black fruits, leather and spices, dominated by black pepper. Firm but ripe tannins on the palate, full and broad, high in alcohol and moderate in acidity. Ageing potential.
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Viognier
Intense, exotic aromas riminiscent of stone fruits like pear and apricot, along with sweet spices. Impressive on the palate, rich and dense with high alcohol and soft acidity. It performs well when aged or fermented in oak barrels.
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