This article on the wine of Epirus is the fourth in our series on Greek wine. First of all, the earliest traces of Epirus wine and of winegrowing in Epirus date back to the 15th century. Although the region is not the largest in terms of the quantity of wine produced, the quality of Epirus wine no longer needs to be proven.
The style of Epirus wine
First, Epirus wine, made mainly from local varieties, is very expressive and has a unique character. Indeed, the region’s natural beauty, its historical heritage, but also its difficult climate for growing wine have made it possible to develop a very enterprising wine industry.
The characteristics of the Epirus region
What’s more, the Epirus region is very mountainous and most of the land rises to over 700 metres in altitude. This altitude is one of the main factors giving the region’s wine a unique character, by contributing to the region’s cool and humid climate. In addition, the Ionian Sea, to the west, moderates extraordinary weather events, in particular the major temperature swings in summer or winter. Finally, the Pindus mountain range is a natural barrier against the humid winds that come from other regions. The soil is very clayey, which helps retain moisture throughout the year. Most of the wine production in Epirus is concentrated in the Ioannina region.
The grape varieties grown in the Epirus region
To begin with, the number of grape varieties grown in the Epirus region is much lower than in the other regions of Greece. The most important grape variety is the white Debina. This local variety produces fresh, elegant wines, with a light note of lemon and apple. As a result, the Epirus wine made from this variety generally contains little alcohol: around 11.5%. What’s more, the main red varieties grown in the region are Bekari and Vlahiko. The two are often blended to obtain a well-balanced wine and an interesting tannin structure. Finally, a few international varieties are also present in the region. Indeed, this is the case for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Traminer and Sauvignon Blanc. Go and discover these wines in a wine bar in Athens.
Are you about to taste wines from the Epirus region in Greece? Take the chance to fill in a tasting sheet. And good news, we’re giving you one!
