10 Greek Wines Everyone Needs To Try At Least Once - Tasting Table

"With their hard-to-pronounce labels and indecipherable grapes, it's easy to skip past Greek wines on the shelf at your local wine shop. However, if you choose to move beyond these mere details, you'll be rewarded with a world of wines and one-of-a-kind grape varieties you'll only ever see coming from Greece. With more than 300 indigenous grapes and dozens of regional appellations across the Greek mainland and islands, there's no shortage of wines to try."

"Nevertheless, as a few select grape varieties gain traction and the value of Greek wines becomes more broadly recognized, the country's role in the international wine landscape becomes increasingly solidified. And with good reason; Ancient Greek culture and viticultural tradition are at the heart of wine's longstanding history. Indeed, historic vineyards that have survived natural and human interventions continue to be cultivated, blending the old with the new."

"Assyrtiko might just be the buzziest Greek grape at the moment, and probably the easiest one to source. The white variety originates from the island of Santorini, and arguably its best expressions come from this volcanic terroir. Nevertheless, it has expanded to mainland Greece as well as other islands. Depending on the origin, assyrtiko spans a range of styles, from concentrated, crisp, and mineral expressions (typical of Santorini) to rounder and fruitier wines, with plenty of acidity"

Greek wine encompasses more than 300 indigenous grape varieties across numerous mainland and island appellations, offering a wide spectrum of styles. Regional specificity yields unique grape expressions that are often unavailable elsewhere, complicating international recognition and consumer familiarity. Select varieties are gaining traction abroad, increasing Greece's presence in the global wine market. Ancient viticultural traditions persist alongside modern practices, with historic vineyards continuing production despite environmental and human challenges. Assyrtiko, originating from Santorini, exemplifies the range of Greek whites, producing concentrated, crisp, mineral-driven wines in volcanic sites and rounder, fruitier examples elsewhere. Exploring Greek varieties expands the palate with singular flavors.

Read at Tasting Table