The Muscat White and Muscat di Trani vineyards of the PDO Muscat of Rhodes (ΠΟΠ Μοσχάτος Ρόδου) wine zone (est.1971), on the Dodecanese island of Rhodes, are few and scattered on small isolated lanes of land in the areas of Archangelos, Atavyros (Embonas, Monolithos), Afandou, Kamiros (Apollona, Fanes) and Kallithea (Psinthos). The PDO Muscat of Rhodes wine zone has neither the extent of land nor the continuity of land that the PDO Rhodes varieties of Athiri and Amorgiano (Mandilaria) have.

The Muscat White variety, apart from contributing to the PDO Muscat of Rhodes blend, also participates in four other Greek PDO wines (PDO Muscat of Cephalonia, PDO Muscat of Patras, PDO Muscat of Rio Patras and PDO Samos). Muscat di Trani is a clone of the Muscat variety that the Italians brought from the town of Trani, Apulia, during their rule of the Dodecanese (1912-1947). However, over time, cultivation of the variety on Rhodes gradually declined with the result that, today, only a handful of vineyards are planted with Muscat di Trani. The dessert wines under the geographical indication “Muscat of Rhodes” may be either vin naturellement dour (sun-dried grapes) or vin doux naturel – vin de liqueur (fortified). Provided that the grapes used come from privately-owned, low yield vineyards vintners are allowed to display the additional “grand cru” indication.

Varieties

Muscat White, Muscat di Trani.

Wine type

• Sweet white from sun-dried grapes
• Sweet white fortified