Grew up on the island of Zakynthos but emigrated to the Western Peloponnese. Lovable, soft, elegant, moderately coloured wines with aromas of red fruit, pepper and chocolate. Soft tannins, medium-bodied with crispy acidity. Ages nicely and blends well with Mavrodaphne.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
herbal - red fruit
Wine style
elegant - Fruity - medium bodied
A white variety that comes from the area of Zitsa in Epirus. Very shy aromas of green apple, pear, and peach, usually give wines that are super fresh, lean and low in alcohol with a lemony aftertaste. Made as a dry wine, but also as semi-sparkling and sparkling.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - stone fruit
Wine style
elegant - light bodied
A variety grown on the Cyclades, mainly on Paros, Evia, the Southern Peloponnese and even Northern Greece. Makes wines with moderate aromatics of lemon blossom, peach, and spice. It produces medium-bodied wines with moderate alcohol and low to medium acidity.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - spice
Wine style
medium bodied - supple
A variety that is grown on the islands of Lefkada and Corfu, but also the Western Peloponnese. It makes wines that are very deep in colour, high in alcohol, high in tannin with good acidity and aromas of eucalyptus, cedar, and dark fruit. They demand extensive aging. If Vertzami was an athlete it would be a boxer.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
herbaceous - red fruit - tobacco
Wine style
savoury - structured - tannic
A variety that is grown around Ioannina in Epirus. Makes wines that are not intensely coloured, with good acidity, fine tannins, medium alcohol and medium body. Its aromas are intensely peppery with hints of blackcurrant and blueberries. Often blended with other local varieties like Bekiari and Debina.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
forest floor - red fruit - spice
Wine style
acidic - elegant - light bodied - mineralic
Also found as Goustolidi. Genetically close to Robola, mostly found in the Ionian islands of Zakynthos and Cephalonia. Α promising white variety that in the past produced oxidised wines at large but is currently redefined with focus, tension and tannic grip. Characterised by aromas of oranges and tropical fruit.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
figs - honey - tropical fruit
Wine style
creamy - full bodied - powerful
A variety that was probably born in Zakynthos but is making a career on the island of Cephalonia and the Western Peloponnese. It makes wines which are not intensely aromatic, fat, have moderate to high acidity, moderate to high alcohol and aromas of lemon, quince, apricot, and some floral notes.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - tropical fruit
Wine style
full bodied
Maratheftiko is the 'rebel' of the Cypriot vineyard, a capricious variety facing difficulties to self-pollinate. Delivers typically aromas of red fruits and flowers (roses and violets) being high in tannins and age-worthy. More contemporary examples focus on primary aromas and finesse.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
black fruit - earthy - floral - meaty - red fruit
Wine style
medium bodied - savoury - structured - tannic
Mavro is the most planted variety of the Cypriot vineyard, a variety currently redefined by two elements; the abundance of its old vines and the pale coloured elegant wines it can produce. Can give typically interesting wines, reds or roses full of red fruit and silky texture.
Color
red
Aromas & flavors
floral - herbaceous - red fruit
Wine style
elegant - medium bodied - savoury
An upcoming white Cypriot variety that seems to have a bright future although (for the moment) only a handful of producers produce a single varietal wine. The definition of balance with equal doses of ripeness and elegance. Can it be the Malagousia of Cyprus?
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - herbal - mineral - stone fruit
Wine style
elegant - Fruity - medium bodied
A new darling of the Cypriot vineyard, Promara is an early ripening variety capable of producing opulent and layered wines full of richness and complexity. Can work well with oak and cellaring can reveal more aromatic nuances.
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
butter - honey - nutty - stone fruit - toast - tropical fruit
Wine style
creamy - full bodied - medium bodied - oaky - ripe
Spourtiko is the fragile and delicate white variety of Cyprus. Hard to achieve a ripeness of more than 12% abv it is prone to oxidation with unmistakeably aromas of citrus or stone fruit along with herbal and mineral scents. Typically brigh in acidity I call it 'The French Lady' (galidoula).
Color
white
Aromas & flavors
citrus fruit - green fruit - herbal - mineral - stone fruit
Wine style
acidic - elegant - light bodied - mineralic