From Ancient Vines to Modern Masterpieces: The Cradle of Wine Civilization
EU-aligned quality hierarchy
13 wine regions
Wine culture begins Crete
Wine trade expands
Symposium culture
Wine as medicine
Monastic wines
Limited production
Vineyard devastation
Technology arrives
Quality focus begins
Quality regulations
Small producers emerge
Ancient methods revival
Continental climate meets Mediterranean influence - Home of noble Xinomavro
Greece's Piedmont with continental climate and Mediterranean influence. Home to Xinomavro, the "Nebbiolo of Greece," producing structured, age-worthy wines. Four major PDO zones showcase different expressions.
Continental climate with Black Sea influence. Ancient varieties being rediscovered. Drama region producing premium wines.
Mountainous region with unique continental microclimate. Home to Zitsa PDO, Greece's sparkling wine capital.
Historic heartland - From Retsina tradition to modern innovation
Athens region experiencing quality renaissance. Home to Savatiano grape and Retsina tradition. Modern producers elevating indigenous varieties. Mix of coastal and inland terroirs.
Large plains with mountain influences. Rapsani PDO on Mount Olympus slopes.
The diverse peninsula - From mountain Moschofilero to powerful Nemea
Greece's most important red wine appellation. Agiorgitiko produces everything from rosé to age-worthy reds. Altitude determines style - from fruity valley floor wines to structured mountain expressions.
High altitude plateau at 600m producing Greece's most aromatic whites from Moschofilero. Cool nights preserve aromatics and acidity.
Unique terroirs shaped by sea and volcanic soils
Volcanic caldera with own-rooted vines (no phylloxera). Basket-trained vines (kouloura) protect from fierce winds. Assyrtiko produces Greece's most distinctive whites with electric acidity and volcanic minerality. Zero rainfall during growing season.
Greece's largest island with 4,000 years of wine history. Diverse terroir from mountains to coast. Indigenous varieties being rediscovered. Natural wine movement stronghold.
300+ indigenous treasures - A genetic library of ancient vines
"Acid-black" - Greece's answer to Nebbiolo. High tannin, high acid, complex aromatics of tomato leaf, olive tapenade, dried cherry, tar, roses. Ages for decades developing truffle and tobacco notes. Transparent color belies power.
Greece's noblest white maintaining extraordinary acidity even in hot climates. Mineral, citrus, saline character with stone fruit in warmer sites. Age-worthy developing honey and petrol notes. Versatile from bone-dry to sweet Vinsanto.
"St. George" - The versatile red
Aromatic pink-skinned
The rescued aromatic
Character: High acidity, volcanic/limestone expression
Trend: Premium single-variety bottlings
Revival: Natural wine movement embracing
Styles: Traditional to modern interpretations
Continental varieties
Mainland specialties
Maritime varieties
From ancient methods to cutting-edge innovation
Philosophy: Ancient varieties, wild yeasts, no additives
Methods: Amphora, skin contact, pet-nat
Focus: Terroir expression, modern techniques
Investment: International recognition pursuit
From ancient symposiums to modern Mediterranean cuisine
From ancient symposiums to modern wine bars
Limited production wines with proven aging potential
| Greek Term | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Κτήμα | Ktima | Estate/Domain |
| Οίνος | Oinos | Wine |
| Λευκός | Leukos | White wine |
| Ερυθρός | Erythros | Red wine |
| Ροζέ | Roze | Rosé wine |
| Αφρώδης | Afrodis | Sparkling wine |
| Ξηρός | Xiros | Dry |
| Γλυκός | Glykos | Sweet |
| Επιλογή | Epilogi | Selection |
| Παλαίωση | Palaiosi | Aged |
| Αμπελώνας | Ampelonas | Vineyard |
| Τρύγος | Trygos | Harvest/Vintage |
| Βιολογικός | Biologikos | Organic |
| Παραδοσιακός | Paradosiakos | Traditional |
| Νυχτέρι | Nykteri | Night harvest wine |
2018: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent across all regions, balanced wines
2019: ⭐⭐⭐ Challenging in north, good islands
2020: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Outstanding Santorini, excellent reds
2021: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very good overall, elegant wines
2022: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent quality, concentrated
2023: ⭐⭐⭐ Small harvest Santorini, variable mainland
Best Recent Years: 2022, 2020, 2018, 2015, 2013, 2009
Legendary Vintages: 2009, 2001, 1997 (for aged wines)
Note: Island wines less vintage variation than mainland
| Category | EUR (€) | USD ($) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level | €5-10 | $6-12 | Boutari, Tsantali, Kourtaki |
| Premium | €10-20 | $12-25 | Gaia, Skouras, Tselepos |
| Super Premium | €20-40 | $25-50 | Kir-Yianni, Alpha, Sigalas |
| Icon | €40-80 | $50-100 | Single vineyards, reserves |
| Ultra Premium | €80+ | $100+ | Economou, rare cuvées |
| Style | Region | Producer & Wine | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparkling | Amyndeon | Kir-Yianni Akakies Sparkling Rosé | $22 |
| Crisp White | Santorini | Argyros Atlantis White | $16 |
| Aromatic White | Mantinia | Boutari Moschofilero | $12 |
| Textured White | Macedonia | Alpha Estate Malagousia | $16 |
| Orange Wine | Attica | Aoton Savatiano Amber | $22 |
| Rosé | Amyndeon | Alpha Estate Rosé | $14 |
| Light Red | Nemea | Skouras Saint George Agiorgitiko | $14 |
| Medium Red | Nemea | Gaia Agiorgitiko by Gaia | $15 |
| Bold Red | Naoussa | Thymiopoulos Young Vines Xinomavro | $18 |
| Premium Red | Naoussa | Kir-Yianni Yianakohori Hills | $22 |
| Retsina | Attica | Kechris Tear of the Pine | $14 |
| Natural/Orange | Cephalonia | Sclavos Alchymiste Orange | $28 |
| Sweet | Samos | Samos Nectar | $18 |
| Icon White | Santorini | Sigalas Barrel Aged Assyrtiko | $35 |
| Island Red | Crete | Douloufakis Liatiko | $16 |