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Moschofilero: Greece's Aromatic White Grape
If you're looking for a Greek grape that's aromatic, floral and incredibly expressive, Moschofilero is one to know. Pronounced roughly mos-ko-FEE-le-ro, this indigenous Greek variety is best known from the Peloponnese, particularly the high-altitude vineyards of Mantinia. It's one of Greece's most distinctive aromatic grapes - and a great reminder that Greek wine is about much more than Assyrtiko. What does Moschofilero taste like? Moschofilero is naturally aromatic, with a p

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 213 min read


Mouchtaro: Greece's Rare Indigenous Red Grape
If you're looking for a Greek red grape you've probably never heard of, Mouchtaro is a very good place to start. Rare, indigenous and deeply connected to the vineyards of central Greece, Mouchtaro is one of those varieties that perfectly captures what makes Greek wine so exciting - a grape with a distinctive identity that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. Today, it is particularly associated with Attica and the wider Central Greece region, where a small number of produc

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 204 min read


Xinomavro: Greece's Noble Red Grape
Often compared to Nebbiolo or Pinot Noir, Xinomavro can produce wines that are aromatic, structured and incredibly expressive of where they are grown. With age, it can develop wonderfully complex savoury aromas - think black olive, sundried tomato, dried herbs and earthy spice alongside red and dark fruit.

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 204 min read


Sklava: Greece’s Nearly Forgotten Indigenous Grape
Some of Greece’s most fascinating wines come from grapes you've probably never heard of. Sklava is one of them. An ancient indigenous Greek white grape traditionally associated with the northeastern Peloponnese, Sklava was once cultivated more widely but gradually disappeared as vineyards became dominated by better-known varieties. Today, only a small number of producers are working to preserve and revive it. Among them is Zacharias Winery in Nemea, where winemaker Elias Zach

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 83 min read


The Complete Guide to Greek Wine
Everything you need to know about Greek wine: regions, indigenous grape varieties, wine styles and the producers redefining modern Greek wine Greek wine is having a moment. But this isn't a new story. With a winemaking tradition stretching back thousands of years, Greece is home to over 300 indigenous grape varieties, dramatically diverse landscapes and some of Europe's most distinctive vineyards. From volcanic vineyards on Santorini to mountain vines on Mount Olympus and anc

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 89 min read


If You Like This, Try That: A Guide to Greek Wine Through Familiar Grapes
One of the biggest barriers to discovering Greek wine is not knowing where to start. With more than 300 indigenous grape varieties, Greek wine can seem unfamiliar at first glance. But the easiest way to explore it is to begin with the wines you already enjoy. Whether you're a Chardonnay drinker, love Nebbiolo or always reach for Pinot Gris, there's a Greek grape variety that offers a similar style while introducing you to entirely new flavours, landscapes and stories. Here's

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 74 min read


The Ultimate Guide to Indigenous Greek Grape Varieties
Greece is home to more than 300 indigenous grape varieties, making it one of the most diverse wine-producing countries in the world. Many of these grapes are found nowhere else, having evolved over thousands of years in the country's mountains, islands and coastal vineyards. While international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are grown in Greece, the country's greatest strength lies in its native grapes. These varieties have adapted naturally to Greece's h

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 74 min read


Agiorgitiko: Greece's Most Versatile Red Grape
When people talk about Greece's great red wines, Agiorgitiko is always part of the conversation. Native to the Nemea PDO in the northeastern Peloponnese, Agiorgitiko is one of Greece's most celebrated indigenous grape varieties. Loved for its approachable style and remarkable versatility, it can produce everything from vibrant everyday reds to complex, age-worthy wines—and even exceptional sparkling wines. At Pale Ruby Wine, our collection showcases three very different expre

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 63 min read


Assyrtiko: Greece's Iconic White Grape, Reimagined
If there's one grape that has put modern Greek wine on the world stage, it's Assyrtiko. Best known for the volcanic vineyards of Santorini, Assyrtiko has earned an international reputation for its piercing acidity, mineral character and remarkable ability to age. But the grape's story doesn't end on one island. Across Greece, a new generation of winemakers is revealing just how versatile Assyrtiko can be. From crisp mountain whites to textured skin-contact wines and bold oran

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 63 min read


Savatiano: Greece's Most Misunderstood White Grape
When people think of Greece's great white grape varieties, Assyrtiko often takes centre stage. Yet the country's most widely planted indigenous white grape remains one of its most overlooked. Savatiano accounts for a significant proportion of Greece's vineyards and has been cultivated for centuries. Long associated with Retsina, it earned a reputation as a simple everyday grape. But that reputation is changing rapidly. Today, a new generation of Greek winemakers is demonstrat

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 63 min read


Roditis: Greece's Most Overlooked Indigenous White Grape
When people think of Greece's great indigenous grape varieties, names like Assyrtiko and Xinomavro usually come to mind. Yet one of the country's most widely planted native grapes remains surprisingly under the radar. Roditis is Greece's second most planted indigenous variety after Savatiano. Together, the two account for almost one-third of the country's vineyards, making Roditis one of the foundations of Greek viticulture. Despite this, it remains one of Greece's least expl

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 62 min read


Mavrodaphne: The Indigenous Greek Grape That's Far More Than a Dessert Wine
For many wine lovers, Mavrodaphne is synonymous with Greece's famous sweet dessert wines. But this historic indigenous grape has a much broader story to tell—one that's changing perceptions of Greek wine around the world. Native to the northern Peloponnese and Kefalonia, Mavrodaphne has long been celebrated for producing rich, fortified wines. Today, however, a new generation of Greek winemakers is revealing its remarkable potential in dry red and rosé wines, creating elegant

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 63 min read


6 Greek Grape Varieties to Discover This Summer
Greek wine is home to more than 300 indigenous grape varieties, many of which remain virtually unknown outside Greece. If you're curious about Greek wine but don't know where to start, the easiest approach is to begin with the styles you already enjoy. Whether you love Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Nebbiolo or Syrah, Greece has its own native grape varieties that offer familiar characteristics while introducing entirely new flavours and a strong sense of place. Below are six indi

Ipek Leni Candan
Aug 54 min read
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