The Wine Route in Greece - World Wine Tourism

Grapes have been grown in Greece since prehistoric times. The ancient Greeks regarded wine as the refreshment of their lives, as illustrated by a pantheon of deities, the central figure of which is Dionysus, the god of fertility, wine, and theater.

The quality of Greek wine

The importance of wine in ancient Greek society and economy is confirmed by numerous surviving written records, which are now housed in various museums throughout the country. After World War II, several factors created the ideal conditions for improving the quality of bottled Greek wine.

The landscapes of Macedonia differ from those of Southern Greece. Over the past few decades, Macedonia has rapidly caught up, particularly in terms of quality red wine. The region’s most traditional grape variety is Xinomavro. This red variety is perfectly suited to semi-continental regions such as Amyntaio, Goumenissa, and Naoussa, which produce excellent Xinomavro.

In the Naoussa region, the oldest producer of bottled wine is Boutari, whose history dates back to 1879 with a winery in Stenimacho. The region produces OPAM Naoussa wine, which is bright red in color and features aromas of red fruits such as blackcurrant and hints of spice.

Between tradition and modernity

In addition to its magnificent beaches, Halkidiki (Chalkidiki) is home to a wide variety of vineyards. The Tsantali company has entered into an agreement with the monks of Mount Athos and has planted primarily Limnio and Athiri varieties. On the second peninsula of Halkidiki lies the Karras Estate, which grows mostly Roditis and Limnio varieties, as well as Cabernet, Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Grenache.

The region is home to several small family-run wineries, as well as modern facilities equipped with state-of-the-art technology and some of the country’s largest wine-producing companies. While every glass of wine tells a story about the place and the people who made it, Northern Greece and its people have many delightful stories to share.