Near Lake Plastiras, Mesenikola village sits at about 2,300 feet, while its vineyards lie between 200 and 600 metres. Light, gravelly soils with clay pockets hold water during drought. Added to the PDO list in 1994, the appellation blends 70 percent Black Messenikola with 30 percent Carignan and Syrah. The wines are aromatic and pale, sometimes almost rosé, with little tannic structure or extract.
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Elsewhere in Thessaly
- Anchialos1 producerAnchialos is one of Thessaly's three PDO wine zones and is reserved for white wines. Roditis makes up at least 75 percent of the blend, while sea breezes ease summer heat. No skin contact or oak ageing is allowed.
- RapsaniNo producers listed yetRapsani sits at the foot of Mount Olympus, where vineyards rise from 100 to 700 metres. Its PDO combines equal parts Xinomavro, Krasato and Stavroto, then ages the wine in large oak barrels.