Peloponnese

The Peloponnese's wine areas stretch from Monemvasia in the south to the higher central zones around Nemea and Mantinia. Monemvasia-Malvasia lies at the foot of Mount Malevos. The Malvasia name spread through Venetian commerce, and production in Monemvasia returned at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Nemea's red PDO, or Protected Designation of Origin, was established in 1971 and uses only Agiorgitiko. The wines typically have red fruit, sweet spice, a velvety texture and refreshing acidity. In central-eastern Arcadia, Mantinia's plateau averages 660 metres, with nearby slopes reaching 800 metres. Moschofilero makes still dry and sparkling whites, which can have rose or citrus aromas and pronounced acidity. Around Patras, mountainous and semi-mountainous Achaia produces Roditis whites under PDO Patra. The area also makes sweet red Mavrodaphne of Patras and sweet Muscat wines, using sun-dried grapes or adding spirit to stop fermentation and retain sweetness.