_edited.jpg)
The Complete Guide to Greek Wine
Updated: Aug 20
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 ancient terraces overlooking the Aegean, Greek wine offers an extraordinary diversity of styles and terroirs.
Yet for many wine drinkers, Greece begins and ends with Assyrtiko, Santorini and perhaps a bottle of sweet Muscat.
There's much more to discover.
This guide explores what Greek wine tastes like, the country's most important grape varieties, its key wine regions and the producers shaping its modern wine movement — including natural and low-intervention wines, traditional-method sparkling wines and contemporary expressions of indigenous grapes.
Curious about Greek wine but don't know where to start? Check out our Greek wine discovery case.
What makes Greek wine unique?
The defining characteristic of Greek wine is its indigenous grape varieties.
While international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah are grown in Greece, some of the country's most exciting wines come from grapes found nowhere else, or rarely found outside Greece.
Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Savatiano, Roditis, Mavrodaphne, Kidonitsa and Moschofilero are just some of the varieties giving Greek wine its distinctive identity.
Greece's geography is equally important.
The country has an extraordinary range of vineyards, from island terraces to high-altitude mountain vineyards. Dry summers, strong sunlight, coastal influences, limestone and volcanic soils all contribute to wines with freshness, concentration and a strong sense of place.
What are the main Greek wine regions?
Greek wine is best understood by exploring its regions.
Santorini
Santorini is Greece's most internationally recognised wine region and home to some of the world's most distinctive expressions of Assyrtiko.
The island's volcanic soils, extremely dry climate and windswept vineyards produce wines with intense acidity, minerality and remarkable ageing potential.
Assyrtiko is the star, but Santorini is also an important home for Aidani and Athiri.
Macedonia
Northern Greece is home to some of the country's most important red wines.
Naoussa is synonymous with Xinomavro, producing structured, aromatic reds with high acidity and tannin that are often compared to Nebbiolo.
Amyndeon, meanwhile, offers a cooler interpretation of Xinomavro, including some of Greece's most interesting rosé and sparkling wines.
Rapsani
On the slopes of Mount Olympus, Rapsani is one of Greece's most distinctive mountain wine regions.
The PDO is based on a traditional blend of three indigenous red varieties:
Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto.
The combination produces wines that retain Xinomavro's structure and freshness while gaining additional generosity and texture from its local companions.
At Pale Ruby Wine, we work exclusively with Papadopoulos Viticulture, whose old bush vines and low-intervention approach showcase the mountain terroir of Rapsani.
Nemea
Located in the northeastern Peloponnese, Nemea is Greece's most important region for Agiorgitiko.
The grape is remarkably versatile, producing everything from fresh, fruit-driven reds to structured, age-worthy wines.
Nemea is also home to Milia Riza, whose traditional-method sparkling wines demonstrate that Agiorgitiko can produce elegant sparkling wine as well as classic red wines. Zacharias Winery is one of the region’s longstanding family estates, producing classic expressions of Agiorgitiko alongside other indigenous varieties from carefully selected vineyard sites across the Nemea PDO.
Attica
Surrounding Athens, Attica is one of Greece's oldest wine-producing areas and the traditional home of Savatiano.
Historically associated with Retsina, Savatiano is now being rediscovered through old-vine, organic and low-intervention winemaking.
Producers such as The Knack Project are showing how compelling the region's indigenous varieties can be when treated with minimal intervention and a focus on vineyard expression.
Kefalonia
The Ionian island of Kefalonia offers a very different expression of Greek wine.
Its mountainous landscape and coastal climate create distinctive conditions for indigenous varieties including Robola and Mavrodaphne.
Haritatos Vineyard is one of the island's producers demonstrating the versatility of Kefalonian wine, particularly through dry expressions of Mavrodaphne and vibrant, food-friendly wines.
Crete
Crete is one of Greece's most distinctive and historically important wine regions, with a winemaking tradition stretching back thousands of years.
The island combines a warm Mediterranean climate with mountainous terrain and vineyards at significant elevations, creating a surprising diversity of growing conditions. This combination of altitude, sunshine, cool mountain influences and varied soils allows Cretan producers to retain freshness while developing ripe, expressive fruit.
Vidiano has emerged as one of the stars of modern Cretan wine. This indigenous white variety can produce everything from fresh, citrus-driven wines to richer, textured expressions showing stone fruit, herbs and mineral character.
For red wine, Liatiko is one of Crete's signature varieties. Naturally aromatic and high in acidity, it can produce elegant, perfumed reds with red fruit, floral and herbal notes, as well as traditional sweet wines.
Other important indigenous varieties include Dafni, Plyto and Kotsifali, each contributing to the diversity of the island's wine culture.
Crete is particularly exciting for wine lovers interested in lesser-known Greek grapes. Its combination of ancient varieties, mountain vineyards and a new generation of quality-focused producers makes it an important part of Greece's modern wine revival.
Samos
Samos is famous around the world for its sweet Muscat wines, but the island's modern wine scene is much broader.
Its steep, mountainous vineyards and old Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains vines can produce dry wines with remarkable perfume, acidity and minerality.
Acritas Wines is part of a new generation exploring this potential, including their single-vineyard 620 Skalia, named after the 620 stone steps leading to its dramatic vineyard.
The most important Greek grape varieties
Assyrtiko
Perhaps the most famous modern Greek grape, Assyrtiko is best known for its volcanic expressions from Santorini.
It is naturally high in acidity and can produce wines with citrus, mineral, saline and smoky characteristics.
But Assyrtiko isn't limited to Santorini.
Mountain-grown examples from Rapsani and low-intervention expressions from Attica demonstrate how dramatically the grape can change depending on terroir and winemaking.
If you like Riesling, try Assyrtiko.
Explore:
Xinomavro
Often compared with Nebbiolo, Xinomavro is one of Greece's great red varieties.
It combines high acidity and tannin with aromas of red berries, dried herbs, flowers and savoury dried tomato and olive notes.
It is particularly associated with Naoussa, Amyndeon and Rapsani.
If you like Nebbiolo, try Xinomavro.
Explore:
Agiorgitiko
Agiorgitiko is the signature grape of Nemea and one of Greece's most versatile red varieties.
Expect ripe red and black fruit, spice and generally softer tannins than Xinomavro.
It can produce everything from youthful, juicy reds to serious age-worthy wines — and, increasingly, sparkling wines.
If you like Merlot, try Agiorgitiko.
Explore:
Savatiano
Greece's most widely planted white grape has undergone something of a renaissance.
Old-vine Savatiano can produce textured, complex wines with stone fruit, citrus, herbs and subtle nutty character.
It thrives in Greece's hot, dry climate while retaining surprising freshness.
If you like Chardonnay, try Savatiano.
Explore:
Roditis
Roditis is another widely planted Greek variety that has historically been associated with simple wines and Retsina.
Today, quality-focused producers are revealing a much more interesting side of the grape.
It can produce fresh, aromatic wines with citrus, orchard fruit and mineral character, while skin-contact examples demonstrate its naturally pink skins and textural potential.
Explore:
Mavrodaphne
Mavrodaphne is traditionally associated with sweet wines from the Peloponnese and Kefalonia.
But dry versions are increasingly attracting attention.
Dry Mavrodaphne can show black cherry, forest fruit, violet, herbs and spice, producing elegant and expressive reds.
If you like Syrah, try dry Mavrodaphne.
Explore:
Kidonitsa
Kidonitsa is one of Greece's lesser-known white varieties.
Its name comes from kidoni, meaning quince, reflecting one of its characteristic aromas.
Expect quince, citrus, stone fruit and a distinctive textural quality.
If you like Pinot Gris, try Kidonitsa.
Explore:
Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
Muscat is one of the world's great aromatic varieties, and Samos is one of its historic homes.
While Samos is famous for sweet Muscat, dry expressions can be beautifully fresh, mineral and saline, with jasmine, orange blossom and stone fruit.
If you like Viognier or other aromatic whites, try dry Greek Muscat.
Explore:
Moschofilero
Moschofilero is one of Greece's most distinctive aromatic white grape varieties, traditionally associated with the high-altitude vineyards of Mantinia in the Peloponnese. Its naturally aromatic character can bring rose petal, citrus blossom, grapefruit and exotic fruit, balanced by bright acidity and a fresh, floral finish.
Although usually made as a dry white wine, Moschofilero is also used in sparkling and rosé styles. Its combination of perfume, freshness and delicacy makes it one of Greece's most accessible indigenous varieties for wine drinkers discovering Greek wine for the first time.
If you like aromatic whites such as Gewürztraminer or Muscat, try Moschofilero.
Explore:
Vostilidi
Vostilidi is a rare indigenous white grape from Kefalonia, one of the Ionian Islands. Traditionally associated with the island, it can produce wines with striking acidity, mineral character and a distinctive saline quality.
In the hands of producers such as Haritatos Estate, Vostilidi shows a more contemporary side, with citrus and stone fruit alongside freshness and texture. It is a particularly good example of how Greece's lesser-known indigenous varieties can produce distinctive, terroir-driven wines.
If you like mineral, saline Mediterranean whites, try Vostilidi.
Explore:
Mouchtaro
Mouchtaro is one of Greece's rarest indigenous red grape varieties, traditionally associated with Boeotia in central Greece. Once at risk of disappearing, it has been revived by a small number of producers and is now attracting attention for its fresh, aromatic and highly distinctive character.
Mouchtaro typically produces lighter-bodied reds with vibrant acidity, juicy red fruit, floral notes and an earthy, herbal character. Its freshness also makes it particularly well suited to chilled red and pét-nat styles.
If you like light, vibrant reds such as Gamay or cool-climate Pinot Noir, try Mouchtaro.
Explore:
Greek wine isn't just still wine
One of the most exciting things happening in Greek wine is the diversity of styles being made from indigenous grapes.
Greek sparkling wine
Greece has a growing reputation for high-quality sparkling wine, particularly traditional-method wines.
Milia Riza is a specialist producer from Nemea dedicated entirely to sparkling wine, producing traditional-method wines from indigenous varieties including Agiorgitiko.
Their Blanc de Noir is an especially interesting choice for Champagne lovers looking to explore beyond the traditional regions of sparkling wine.
If you like Champagne, try Greek traditional-method sparkling wine.
Greek natural wine
Natural and low-intervention winemaking has become one of the most exciting developments in contemporary Greek wine.
Rather than relying on heavy manipulation in the cellar, these producers often focus on organic or biodynamic vineyards, indigenous yeasts, minimal additions and allowing the character of the grapes and vineyard to come through.
Three producers illustrate the diversity of this movement particularly well:
Papadopoulos Viticulture — Rapsani: Mountain-grown old vines, indigenous varieties and minimal-intervention winemaking on the slopes of Mount Olympus.
The Knack Project — Attica: Experimental, small-batch wines exploring native varieties through skin contact, wild fermentation and extended ageing.
Haritatos Vineyard — Kefalonia: Island wines rooted in indigenous varieties and the distinctive coastal and mountainous terroir of Kefalonia.
Explore Greek natural wine
Discover the Pale Ruby Wine Natural Wine Case: six small-batch wines from Papadopoulos Viticulture, The Knack Project and Haritatos Vineyard, bringing together three regions and a range of indigenous Greek varieties.
Minimum intervention. Maximum sense of place.
What Greek wine should I try?
If you're new to Greek wine, start with the style you already enjoy.
If you like... | Try... |
Chardonnay | Savatiano |
Pinot Gris | Kidonitsa |
Nebbiolo | Xinomavro |
Merlot | Agiorgitiko |
Syrah | Mavrodaphne |
Viognier | Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains |
Champagne | Greek traditional-method sparkling wine |
Natural wine | Assyrtiko, Roditis, Savatiano, Xinomavro & Mavrodaphne |
Not sure where to start? Explore our Greek wine collection and discover indigenous grapes from some of Greece's most exciting small producers.
Greek wine and food
Greek wines are naturally suited to food.
High-acid whites such as Assyrtiko and Vostilidi work beautifully with seafood, grilled fish, salads, feta and olive oil.
Aromatic varieties such as Muscat and Moschofilero pair naturally with herbs, vegetables and lighter Mediterranean dishes.
Agiorgitiko and Mavrodaphne are excellent with grilled meats, aubergine, mushrooms and richer dishes, while Xinomavro's acidity and savoury character make it perfectly suited to lamb and tomato-based dishes.
And, of course, Greek wine doesn't need Greek food to work. These wines are exceptionally adaptable to modern European and Mediterranean cooking.
Discover modern Greek wine with Pale Ruby Wine
Pale Ruby Wine specialises in small-batch Greek wines made from indigenous grape varieties.
We work directly with producers whose wines express their vineyards, regions and winemaking philosophy — from the mountain vineyards of Rapsani and Nemea to the islands of Samos and Kefalonia.
Our portfolio includes natural wines, traditional-method sparkling wines, classic expressions of indigenous varieties and experimental small-batch bottlings.
The aim is simple:
To make discovering Greek wine less intimidating — and much more exciting.
Explore our Greek wine collection, check out our Greek Wine Discovery Case or Greek Natural Wine Case, or join us at one of our Greek wine tastings in London to taste the varieties, regions and producers behind modern Greek wine.
