BACK TO GREEK WINE
Table of Contents:
GRAPES
P.D.O. and P.G.I. WINES
CEPHALONIA WINES
ZAKYNTHOS WINES
LEFKADA WINES
CORFU WINES
Wines of Greece Greek Beers. Greek Spirits.
The Ionian islands are quite different from many of the Greek islands as they have a mild climate. Also, they have rain, actually a lot.
Ancient Ionian Wine.
Wine? When did the Ionians start producing wine? Well, Homer talks about wine from Corfu in the Odyssey…
Evidence on several of the islands indicates people living here from the 9th century B.C. Or possibly back to 1200 B.C. We know the Greeks were producing wine before this time. Cephalonia is home to many indigenous grapes.
The Ionian Islands lie to the west of Greece’s mainland and northwest of the Peloponnese.
There are seven principle islands. Heptanese (meaning Seven Islands) is the ancient name.
From North to South they are:
- Corfu (Kerkyra)
- Paxos (Paxi)
- Lefkas (Lefkada)
- Ithaca (Ithaki)
- Cephalonia (Kefalonia)
- Zante (Zakynthos)
- Cythera (Kythira)
You can probably find wine grapes growing on all of these islands. On Anti-Paros, they outnumber the inhabitants. However, on most islands, this is only for personal or local consumption.
The islands you will find large wine production are Corfu, Lefkas, Cephalonia, and Zante. Of these, Cephalonia is the major Ionian wine producer. It holds three different PDOs for wine.
The Middle Ages
Winemaking is very important to the Romans who follow. The Venetians were exporting the wines of the islands along with those of the Peloponnese. Later, they would keep the Ottomans off many of the Ionian islands. The Ottoman non-drinkers were not fond of wine production.
When the Germans arrive in the Ionian islands in the 1940s, they like the wines very much. To keep the Germans from drinking their wines, they begin pouring pine resin in the bottles. It does stop the Germans from drinking the wine. Unfortunately, it also gives Greek wines a terrible reputation worldwide for their wines. It will be decades before they can fix it.
Today’s wine industry stems from the end of World War II. Through tremendous work, the Ionian wines are becoming a prominent wine region of Greece.
Three of Greece’s 29 P.D.O. wine appellations, and four of the P.G.I. areas are on the Ionian Islands. They also grow some international grapes, including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Ionian Wine Grapes
The most popular grapes from the Ionian region are:
White
Robola – an indigenous grape produces a high acid white wine that tends to be dry, with medium-body. Many include a distinct lemon note.
Vardea – is also an indigenous grape. It produces a light, refreshing wine.
Tsaoussi – is an indigenous grape variety mainly on Cephalonia. They produce a low acidic, bone dry, crisp wine. You can also eat them.
Muscat White – produce intense aromas and tastes. They also produce dry wines that have hints of the fragrance and robust flavor.
Goustolidi – is an indigenous grape, predominantly on Zante. It has hints of pear and melon with medium acidity with a long finish.
Kakotrygis – is an ancient Greek variety only growing on Corfu. The historian Thucydides mentions it circa 400 B.C. It has a light yellow color, good acidity, is aromatic and refreshing. It can be sweet or dry.
Moschato Aspro – produces a light, fragrant sweet white wine.
Reds
Mavrodaphne – produces a dark purple dessert wine. The aroma and flavor may include caramel, chocolate, coffee, and plums.
Vertzami – is a rare indigenous grape almost exclusively from Lefkada. The fruit produces a deep red color with a smooth palate and medium body.
It is perfect with lamb and other red meats.
Petrokorythos – is a local grape producing a dry and crimson wine. Most wineries use it for blending.
Red wine grapes are almost ready to harvest.
The good news, recent interest in the Ionian wines is helping to reintroduce other indigenous grapes to the local wines. Local wines complement local cuisine.
You need to sample Corfu wines now and go back in ten years to see where they are.
P.D.O. Ionian Wines
White Grapes
Robola of Cephalonia – appellation is at the western end of Cephalonia. The name is from the grape, not the region. These are perhaps, the favorite wines of the area. They produce fresh acidic, but mighty whites, with citrus aromas and distinctive minerality
Grape Varieties:
- Robola
PDO Muscat of Cephalonia – is a small Cephalonia appellation. Some of the grapes come from private vineyards where lower yield, higher quality grapes grow. They make sweet (vin naturellement doux) and natural sweet (vin doux naturel-vin de liqueur) white wines.
Grape Variety:
- White Muscat
Red Grapes
P.D.O. Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia – includes grapes from nearby Ithica. It is the only Cephalonia PDO or PGI wine to do that. The region specializes in a sweet red wine.
Grape Variety:
- Mavrodaphne (wine must have a minimum of 51%),
- Corinthian Black.
P.G.I. Ionian Wines
There are several P.G.I. area status wine appellations as well. This status applies to all the local wines from the area.
PGI Mantzavinata – is in Southern Cephalonia. They produce dry white, red, and rose wines.
Grape Variety:
Goustolidi (Vostylidi),
Tsaoussi,
Araklino,
Thiako.
PGI Metaxata – is in southwest Cephalonia. They produce a dry red wine.
Grape Variety:
Τhiniatiko
PGI Slopes of Enos – is in eastern Cephalonia. They make dry red and white wines.
Grape Variety:
Goustolidi (Vostylidi),
Tsaoussi,
Mavrodaphne.
PGI Halikouna – is on Corfu in the southwest. Their dry white wine is excellent.
Grape Variety:
Kakotrygis.
Are these all the grapes they grow in the Ionian region? No. But these should be enough to keep you busy for an afternoon or three.
Ionian Wine Regions and Wineries
Cephalonia Wine
The vineyards on Cephalonia cover an area of 750 acres. It may be small, but they make the most out of the region. They train the vines into traditional low gobelets, (small bushes with thick growth). This act also protects the grapes from the winds that can be strong off the sea.
The white Robola, which is unique in Greece, is an important grape on this island. It thrives on the island’s poor limestone soil.
In 1988, phylloxera began appearing in Cephalonia. They began replacing the old vines with resistant varieties.
Mavrodaphne and Muscat White are popular varieties of grapes.
The vineyards of Cephalonia
- Gentilini – is south of Argostoli. They produce several white and red wines and one rose.
- Robola Wine Cooperative (website in Greek) – is a few hundred feet behind the Monastery of St. Gerasimos. The 300 member coop has been making wine since the 1980s. The winery is open for tours and tastings on most days. In the winter, they have shorter hours.
- Divino Wines and Vinegar – is southeast of Argostoli. They produce several white wines. They also offer a few red, rose, and dessert wines.
- Melissinos Winery – is in southeast Cephalonia. This small winery focuses on a few quality wines instead of quantity.
- Domaine Foivos – is in southwest Cephalonia, not far from Lixouri. Here, they produce several white wines, many award-winning. They also have several reds and roses.
- Haritatos Estate – is near Lixouri in southwest Cephalonia and is by reservation only. They produce one red and one white wine.
- Sarris Winery – This south of Argostoli. They produce three white wines, two reds, and a rose. The wines are lovely and the setting beautiful.
Zakynthos Wine.
The vineyards of the island are west and northwest of Zakynthos town in the central area of the island.
They cultivate dozens of varieties, and many are indigenous. Grapes including Goustolidi, Katsakoulias, Robola Black, and others are growing in popularity, a few from the brink of extinction.
The islands white wine PGI Verdea is the most traditional wine on the island. They use Skiadopoulo, Goustolidi, and Pavlos for blending.
The vineyards of Zakynthos
- Grampsas Winery – is west of Zakinthos town. The small hands-on winery offers tasty white and red wines as well as premium.
- Art and Wine – is in the north on a family estate that has been in the same family for two centuries. The winery is over 100 years old. They produce two whites and red wines, plus a rose.
- Solomos Wines Winery – is just outside Zakinthos town. They produce some delicious wines in an old Venetian structure.
- Oenolpi Winery – is west of Zakynthos town. They offer several dry wines and a semi-sweet red. This family-run winery is striving for quality over quantity.
- Callinico Winery – This northwest of Zakinthos town. The vineyard is charming, but you should expect crowds in the wine-tasting area. The wines are nice.
Lefkada Wine.
The vineyards of Lefkada are on mountainous slopes around the island
The traditional wine varieties most popular on Lefkada are Verjami and Vardea.
The island’s PGI Lefkada, in the red version, is the only Ionian P.D.O. or P.G.I. status wine containing foreign varieties.
The vineyards of Lefkada
- Lefkas Earth Winery (website in Greek) – is less than 20 minutes east of Vasiliki. As you come around the corner, at first it looks like a small village. They offer several dry and sweet whites, reds, and roses.
- Karsanikos Winery – is approximately 30 minutes southwest of Lefkada town. This family-run winery makes two wines, one white, one red, and both are delicious. The winery is in a house, making it enjoyable to see.
- Siflogo Winery (website in Greek) – This an organic, family-run winery that makes four dry wines and a semi-sweet red. Visits are by appointment only.
Corfu Wine
Today, there are only a few areas on the island growing wine grapes. (sad.) Due to the small number of grapes, there are few wineries. (Sadder.) However, the few wineries do most of the work by hand, making delicious local wines. Also, they do not add chemical additives. (Happy!)
In recent years, there are now commercial wineries. (Happy-sad.)
The island produces more white than red wine. Most of the white-wine production takes place in more level terrain in the middle and west. The red grape varieties grow in the hilly north that provides more shelter from the winds and sun.
There are no P.D.O. wines on the island. However, the island has its regional (P.G.I.) wine appellation for whites. It requires that white wine must contain a minimum 60 percent Kakotrygis grape to call itself P.G.I. Corfu wine.
The vineyards of Corfu
- Theotoky Estate – has been in the same family for hundreds of years. On the west side of the island approximately 30-minutes from Corfu town, they give tours by reservation daily. The organic winery produces a dry white, rose, and red wine.
- Winery Goulis Corfu – is also on the west side of the island. This family-run organic winery also strives for quality over quantity. Reservations are necessary through the website. (Orange link).
- Nicoluzo Winery – is north of Corfu town. It is a tiny, hands-on winery not open to the public. You can find their wines around the island. There is also a red and a rose that is merlot blends.
Ionian Wine Summary.
Some of the wineries are open year-round to guests, and few accept guests without a reservation. Those receiving guests are usually doing so in April through September. The Ionian wineries are not the shopping mall that Napa has become, yet. I would check the websites above (orange links) and make a reservation. For groups, or during the off-season, ch
Come, taste wine with an incredible history. Ionian wine has been flowing for almost 3,000 years. Sample wines from grapes you cannot experience anywhere else in the world.eck their hours or days they are open.
Also, you will want to stop and see the UNESCO World Heritage site in the Ionian region.
The Old Town of Corfu is already on the UNESCO list. The Late Medieval Bastioned Fortifications in Greece are on the list for consideration. They include structures on Corfu and Zakynthos.
Whether you visit one island or all of them, try the Ionian wine.