Xinomavro

Xinomavro is a defining red grape of northern Greece, yet its name does not describe one fixed wine style. Naoussa’s 100% Xinomavro PDO reds are typically pale in colour, high in acidity and tannin, and built for development. Elsewhere, the grape also appears in rosé, sparkling and sweet wines; Amyndeon’s high, lake-influenced plateau offers a different regional context and a particularly notable rosé and sparkling tradition.

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Assyrtiko

Assyrtiko is a Greek white grape best known internationally through Santorini, though it is planted more widely across Greece. UC Davis Foundation Plant Services notes its ability to retain acidity through hot Mediterranean summers. Santorini’s rules also show why it is worth separating variety from place: the dry PDO white must contain at least 85% Assyrtiko, while separate regulations cover wines made from raisined grapes. The island’s basket-trained vines and volcanic soils are part of that regional story, not a template for every Assyrtiko vineyard.

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