The regions of Greece
Choose a region to read about its wines and explore the smaller growing areas within it.
- 01Aegean Islands5 producersGreece's Aegean Islands include several distinct winegrowing areas. Santorini makes dry whites on volcanic ground, while Limnos and Samos make sweet wines from Muscat grapes. Paros produces sweet Malvasia Paros from sun-dried grapes, and Rhodes also makes sparkling wine.
- 02Crete3 producersOn the Greek island of Crete, vineyards extend from the coast to mountain ground at 500 to 800 metres. Vilana and Vidiano are its leading white grapes; Liatiko, Mandilaria and Kotsifali are important reds. Vidiano can have citrus and stone-fruit aromas, while Mandilaria brings drying tannin to red wines.
- 03EpirusNo producers listed yetEpirus is a mountainous region in northwestern Greece, with cool, humid vineyards and snowy winters. Wine production centres on Ioannina, especially Zitsa and Metsovo. The white grape Debina makes tangy still and sparkling wines, while the local red varieties Vlahiko and Bekari differ in colour and tannin.
- 04Ionian Islands1 producerThe Ionian Islands are a group of Greek islands with winegrowing centred on Kefalonia. On the high ground around Mount Ainos, the white grape Robola makes aromatic wines with citrus notes and high acidity. Kefalonia also grows Mavrodafni, a red grape, and white Moschato.
- 05Macedonia9 producersIn the Greek wine region of Macedonia, vineyards occupy mountain slopes and high plateaus. Xinomavro is a principal local red grape, grown in the appellations of Naoussa, Amyndeon and Goumenissa. Naoussa lies on Mount Vermio, while Amyndeon sits between mountains and lakes on higher ground.
- 06Other producers11 producersThese producers are in Greece, with no more specific region shown.
- 07Peloponnese6 producersThe Peloponnese is a Greek winegrowing region that includes Nemea, Mantinia and the vineyards around Patras. Nemea makes reds from Agiorgitiko; Mantinia makes still and sparkling whites from Moschofilero. Around Patras, Roditis whites sit alongside sweet red Mavrodaphne and sweet Muscat wines.
- 08Thessaly1 producerIn central Greece, Thessaly's vineyards lie mainly on the hills around the region's central plain. Its wine appellations include coastal Anchialos, Mesenikola and Rapsani beneath Mount Olympus. The red grape Limniona grows mainly in Tyrnavos and Karditsa; despite the similar name, it is distinct from Limnio.