PDO Rapsani

PDO Rapsani (ΠΟΠ Ραψάνη)

Most of the PDO Rapsani (ΠΟΠ Ραψάνη) zone (est.1971) in the district of Larissa, Thessalia region, extends on the northeastern side of the valley of Pinios river, in Rapsani, and in Pyrgetos, Lower Olympus. The remaining part lies on the southeastern side of the valley, in the area of the traditional settlement of Ambelakia. Traditionally, the vineyards were planted with approximately 1/3 of all three varieties of this PDO zone each and that practice is still active today.

With the enchanting valley of Tempi as a backdrop, Pinios river’s banks separate the southeastern end of Olympus (2,917m), Greece’s tallest mountain, from the northwestern end of Mount Kissavos (1,978m), revealing a vista of verdant slopes opposite each other, replete with the PDO Rapsani vineyards. The hub of the zone, which is the southernmost of the four where the Xinomavro variety is grown (the other three being PDO Amynteo, PDO Goumenissa and PDO Naoussa), is found at the scenic village of Rapsani whose Byzantine predecessor dates back to the 10th century AD. Up until 2005, the only producer was Tsantali company, to which the PDO Rapsani zone owes its survival. At the present, more wineries have been added in the area.

Varieties

Xinomavro, Krassato, Stavroto (Ambelakiotiko).

Wine type

  •  Dry red