Discover the Wine Regions of Greece

Greek wine has a story as old as the land itself, each bottle echoing the unique qualities of its place of origin. Across the diverse landscapes of Greece, from sunlit islands to mountainous highlands, distinct climates and soil types come together to create wines with remarkable variety and depth. Here, we’ll explore the primary wine regions of Greece, each offering wines that speak to their roots and traditions.

Greek Wine’s Diverse Landscape

Greece’s landscape is a study in contrasts, where varied climates shape the winemaking approach in each region. Most Greek wines carry the mark of their Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, with flavors that express the terrain’s influence. From coastal vineyards to the volcanic soil of the islands, Greek wines offer a tasting journey across regions.

Key Regions by Climate

For ease, Greek wine regions can be grouped by their general climatic influences:

• Northern Greece: Cooler, with a climate suited to bold reds and aromatic whites.
• Aegean Islands: Dry and sun-soaked, ideal for crisp, mineral-driven whites.
• Central Greece: Mediterranean climate offering a balance of red and white wines.
• Southern Greece: Warm and stable, fostering fruity reds and aromatic whites.

Each zone has a distinct profile, yet they all contribute to Greece’s reputation for complex and deeply rooted wine expressions.

Northern Greece: Where Bold Reds and Elegant Whites Find a Home

• Key Areas: Naousa, Amyntaio, Kavala, Drama, Chalkidiki, Thrace
• Signature Grapes: Xinomavro, Malagousia, Assyrtiko, Debina

In Northern Greece, cooler conditions with mountain winds and occasional snow create an ideal climate for structured reds and refined whites. The region is renowned for Xinomavro, a red often compared to Italy’s Nebbiolo due to its bold tannins and rich flavor. Naoussa and Amyndeon, two of the top regions for Xinomavro, each bring out unique aspects of the grape. Naoussa’s wines tend to be fuller and deeply structured, while Amyndeon’s Xinomavro wines are more aromatic and floral.

The white grape Malagousia has found a home in Northern Greece, producing soft, aromatic wines that offer flavors of peach, citrus, and orange blossom. In Epirus, the Zitsa region focuses on Debina, a white grape prized for its delicate, floral character in light, sparkling wines.

Aegean Islands: Wines with a Salty, Mineral Edge

• Key Areas: Santorini, Samos, Límnos, Paros
• Signature Grapes: Assyrtiko, Muscat Blanc, Mandilaria, Limnio

The Aegean Islands are known for their dry, sun-filled climates, where vineyards enjoy the moderating effects of the sea. Santorini’s volcanic soil and unique basket-training method (kouloura) create ideal conditions for Assyrtiko, a high-acid white wine with flavors of lemon, sea salt, and flint. Santorini’s Assyrtiko is renowned for its crisp, clean profile, embodying the island’s stark, mineral-rich soil.

Samos has made a name for Muscat Blanc, producing both dry and sweet wines. The sweet Muscat from Samos offers flavors of apricot, lychee, and honey—a perfect match for desserts or sipping on its own. Límnos brings Limnio, an ancient red grape with flavors of raspberry and herbs, adding an earthy layer to Greek red blends.

Central Greece: Balanced Reds and Fresh Whites

• Key Areas: Rapsani, Fthiotida, Thessaly, Attica
• Signature Grapes: Savatiano, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Malagousia

In Central Greece, vineyards enjoy a Mediterranean climate, moderated by nearby mountains and coastal influences. This region grows Savatiano, Greece’s most widely planted grape, which often goes into retsina, a traditional wine infused with pine resin. When crafted with care, Savatiano shines as a balanced white with notes of green apple and citrus.

Thessaly, particularly around Mount Olympus, produces robust reds from Xinomavro and other native varieties. The high-altitude vineyards in Rapsani yield full-bodied reds with red fruit flavors, spices, and firm tannins. As one moves south, the climate becomes warmer, bringing out the fruitier side of grapes like Malagousia, with its signature aromatic notes.

Southern Greece: Sunlit Reds and Fragrant Whites

• Key Areas: Nemea, Mantineia, Patras, Crete, Kefalonia
• Signature Grapes: Agiorgitiko, Moschofilero, Mavrodaphne, Vidiano

Southern Greece’s sunny climate provides the foundation for full-bodied reds and expressive whites. In the Peloponnese, Nemea is synonymous with Agiorgitiko, a versatile red grape delivering vibrant berry flavors in its youth and deep, structured notes with age. Known for producing both approachable and cellar-worthy wines, Agiorgitiko remains one of Greece’s most celebrated reds.

Mantineia in central Peloponnese, with its higher elevation, is home to Moschofilero, an aromatic white grape that brings bright floral and citrus notes. Meanwhile, Kefalonia’s vineyards are known for Robola, an elegant white that grows on limestone-rich soils, adding a mineral quality to its citrus and stone fruit flavors.

Crete’s vineyards, benefiting from the island’s warm, sunny weather, showcase Vidiano, a full-bodied white wine with flavors of melon and apricot. For red wines, Crete often blends Kotsifali and Mandilaria, yielding soft, spicy wines with a hint of dark fruit—ideal for pairing with the island’s rustic cuisine.

Greece’s wine regions offer more than a taste of place; they capture the essence of ancient traditions woven through sunlit vineyards and rugged mountain slopes. Each region, whether on a remote island or highland plateau, brings forward its own story, told through wines that balance history with an eye toward innovation. With every glass, Greece’s terroirs invite discovery, revealing how the country’s diverse landscapes shape the wine in ways as nuanced as the culture itself.