Peloponnese - Regions
Nemea
The Nemea wine region, situated near the Corinth Canal in the northeast corner of the Peloponnese peninsula, is a significant area in Greek winemaking. It is particularly famous for its red wines made from 100% Agiorgitiko grapes. Both dry and sweet versions of these wines are produced, with sweet wines being less common.
Wine Characteristics and Styles: Nemea's wines are known for their versatility. In recent years, there has been a shift from using new French barriques to more subtle oak influences. A new style of wine has emerged from the region, characterized by semi-carbonic maceration to enhance fruity flavors while maintaining relatively low tannin levels. The quality of Nemea's wines ranges from affordable and good to very good and outstanding, with some wines being age-worthy and commanding premium prices.
Climate and Terroir: The region experiences a Mediterranean climate, with most rainfall occurring in autumn and winter. The annual rainfall can vary significantly, impacting wine yields and quality. The climate, combined with the region's diverse topography, contributes to the unique character of Nemea's wines.
Zonal Variations: Nemea is divided into three zones based on altitude:
The lowest zone (230-400m) is the warmest and most fertile soil, typically used for inexpensive and high-quality sweet wines.
The middle zone (450-650m) is considered optimal for quality wine production, with poor, free-draining soils that naturally limit yields.
The highest zone (650-1000m) is cooler, and grapes here have been traditionally used for rosé production. However, there's a growing interest in exploring this zone for producing fresher styles of red wine with higher acidity.
Culinary Pairings: Nemea's Agiorgitiko wines are ideal for Greek cuisine and pair well with a variety of international dishes, making them versatile in the global culinary scene.
Key Producers: Some of the significant producers in the region include Gaia Wines and Tselepos, known for their exceptional contributions to Nemea's viticulture.
The tradition of viticulture in Nemea has been deeply embedded in the region's culture and history, dating back centuries. Today, Nemea continues to be a vibrant representation of Greece's modern wine movement, offering wines that reflect the region's long-standing winemaking heritage combined with contemporary techniques and styles.
Patras
The Patras wine region, situated on the northern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula in Greece, is renowned for its diverse wine production. The area is characterized by a varied terrain that significantly influences its viticulture, with the Gulf of Patras to the northwest and the Gulf of Corinth to the northeast playing key roles.
One of the predominant grape varieties in Patras is Roditis, which is the second most cultivated grape in Greece. This variety is primarily used to produce dry white wines.
In addition to Roditis, the region is well-known for Mavrodaphne, a grape used to make a notable fortified wine that stands as one of Greece's most celebrated wines. Mavrodaphne can be blended with Korinthiaki varieties up to a 50% ratio. Other grape varieties grown in the region include Muscat Blanc, Petits Grains, Korinthiaki, Sideritis, Agiorgitiko, Savatiano, and Merlot.
PDO Mavrodaphni of Patra
The PDO Mavrodaphni of Patra wine region, established in 1971, is located in the northern-central area of Achaia in the northern Peloponnese, Greece. It's divided into three smaller areas:
Main Central Area: Covers parts of Vrachneika, Dymi, Larissos, Messatis, Paralia, Farron, and Olenia.
Eastern Sub-Zone: Smaller area around Rio.
Western Sub-Zone: The smallest area includes parts of Dymi, Morvi, and Larissos.
Mavrodaphne grapes, also grown in Cephalonia, make a sweet red wine known as PDO Mavrodaphne of Patra. This wine must be aged in oak barrels for at least one year. If aged for two years in barrels and one year in bottles, it's labeled as "Reserve"” The "Grand Reserve" label needs seven years of aging, with at least three years in barrels and three in bottles.
Mavrodaphni of Patra is a famous Greek sweet dessert wine. There are 12 wineries in the region producing it, along with 13 joint ventures outside the zone.
