A change from the coast: Explore Greek wine regions in the summer

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Greece is one of our favorite summer vacation destinations. In addition to dreamy beaches, Mediterranean cuisine and friendly hospitality, the realm of the gods offers even more. For those who love characteristic wines, there are several exciting wine regions that may be just a stone’s throw away from your resort.

With a little time left until the start of the summer vacation, we have compiled for you the most popular holiday islands of Greece, where wine production is also made. If you want to visit specific wineries, it’s best to call ahead. That way, you can be sure someone is there when you visit.

This Greek dream island is home to the Assyrtiko white grape variety, which grows here in dry and windy conditions and evokes unique wines in the bottle. Whether it’s a dry or sweet Vinsanto variant: Assyrtiko shines with strong acidity and delicate smoky notes. If you count the vineyards on its sister island of Thirasia, Santorini now has around 1,200 hectares of vineyards.

Have you taken enough baths? To the vineyards! There are a few wineries south of Heraklion, but you’ll also find them in other areas such as Chania and Sitia. In Crete, the largest island of Greece, mainly local grape varieties are planted. Here you will encounter famous names such as Thrapsathiri, Mandilaria or Kotsifali. With an area of ​​over 50,000 hectares, Crete is one of the most important wine regions in Greece.

Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek island in the Aegean Sea and has almost the same vineyard area as Santorini. Rhodos Red is a fruity and spicy red wine made from the local grape variety Mandilaria, while Athiri, the island’s most famous white wine, is made from Rhodes. Sweet wine lovers will also get their money’s worth with Muscat of Rhodes.

The flamboyant party island is also home to small wineries that often grow their grapes organically or even biodynamically. As in Santorini, Crete and Rhodes, local Greek grape varieties such as Mandilaria, Assyrtiko or Agiannitis shine in Mykonos. They provide sun filled drinkable wines.

This charming holiday island is very close to the Turkish coast. Extensive sand and pebble beaches as well as ancient buildings lure this place for a well-balanced vacation program. To make your visit to Kos unforgettable, you can visit one of the wineries on the island. Besides local specialties, you can occasionally find international grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

Source : Blick