Greek Varietals
Here's a guide to the Greek varietals you'll encounter most often.
View our list of Greek Wines available
White Wines
Assyrtiko [A-SEAR-tee-ko]
Native to the island of Santorini
but planted throughout Greece, this grape retains its acidity despite
the hot climate, yielding dry whites. It can also be blended with Athiri
and Aidani to produce vin santo.
Athiri [Ah-THEE-ree]
Native to Santorini but planted
elsewhere, Athiri is a thin-skinned grape that produces sweet wines with
low acidity. Often blended.
Moschofilero [Mos-ko-FEE-le-roe]
From the region of
Mantinia in the Peloponnese, the grapes have a grayish-pink hue and are
blended or used to make aromatic whites redolent of fine Muscat.
Robola [Roe-BO-la]
This grape is grown exclusively
on the Ionian island of Cephalonia and yield dry whites with a distinctive
lemony character.
Roditis [Roe-DEE-tees]
Pinkish grape that maintains
its acidity in warmer climates and produces light-bodies whites with
citrus flavors. Also blended with Savatiano and other grapes to produce
retsina.
Savatiano [Sa-va-tya-NOE]
Greece's most abundant white
grape is grown throughout Attica and is blended to produce retsina and
other white wines.
Red Wines
Agiorgitiko [Ah-yor-YEE-ti-ko]
Also known as St. George,
this grape is mostly grown in the Nemea AOC in the Peloponnese. Often
blended with other varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, it can be bottled
as a single-varietal and is also used to make rosé.
Xinomavro [Zee-NOE-mahv-roe]
This popular Greek varietal
is grown in Northern Greece and provides a rich tannic character to age-worthy
blends.
Mandelaria [Mahn-dee-lar-YAH]
Also called Amorgiano,
it is mainly grown on the islands of Crete and Rhodes. Sometimes bottles
as a single-varietal, it is often blended with other grapes to make a
variety of red wines, from dry to sweet.
Mavrodaphne [Mav-roe-THAF-nee]
Dark-skinned found in
the Peloponnese and the Ionian islands. Often blended to produce a port-like
dessert wine.
