The PDO Muscat of Rio Patras (ΠΟΠ Μοσχάτος Ρίου Πάτρας) –est.1971- zone occupies a stretch of the coastal area along the Gulf of Korinthos (Corinth), east of the city of Patras and the town of Rio in the northern Peloponnese. The zone (est. 1971) is mainly in the Rio area (Agios Vassilios, Agios Georgios, Ano and Kato Kastritsi, Argyra, Vernardeika, Drepano, Platani, Rio, Psathopyrgos). Another small part of it is situated northeast of Patras.

Muscat White is the white grape variety which, apart from yielding PDO Muscat of Rio Patras, it is also blended into four more Greek PDO wines (PDO Muscat of Cephalonia, PDO Muscat of Patras, PDO Muscat of Rhodes and PDO Samos). The PDO Muscat of Rio Patras zone is significantly smaller than the PDO Muscat of Patras zone to the west but the two overlap to a considerable extent. The dessert wines bearing the geographical indication “Muscat of Rio Patras” 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 permitted to add the “grand cru” indication on the bottle.

Its proximity to the city of Patras and the brisk pace of construction in the area has much restricted the POP Muscat of Rio Patras zone land available for cultivation. Nevertheless, some of the best Greek sweet white wines are produced here. The area’s vista is much enhanced by the Rio-Antirrio bridge whose modern, imposing structure spans the Gulf of Corinth, bridging the Peloponnese with Central Greece.

Variety

Muscat White 100%

Wine type

• Sweet white from sun-dried grapes
• Sweet fortified