The fifth article in our Greek wine series takes us to the wines of Macedonia. Macedonia is the largest region in Greece, with huge diversity both in landscape and in climate. You can divide Macedonia into three big sub-regions whose wines are noticeably different. Two large producers are particularly active in the region: Boutari and Tsantali, alongside many small producers.
Wine from Western Macedonia
Western Macedonia has fairly mountainous terrain. Rainfall is higher than in the rest of Greece and the region’s average temperature sits around 24°C. The Florina area is the coldest part of this slice of Greece. In terms of grape varieties, you’ll find Xinomavro and Moschomavro. The result is a Macedonian wine that’s quite acidic and fruity, with a high alcohol level. The region also produces a lot of rosés. The Amynteo plateau is one of the most important wine zones in Greece. At high altitude (750m), the large water reserves and big temperature swings shape the character of Macedonian wine. You’ll find reds with fewer tannins and floral notes that will delight your palate. This region also has an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) at Amynteo, the only AOC in Western Macedonia, covering reds, rosés and sparkling wines. You’ll also find Macedonian wine in the Kozani area. Wines from this area are aged in oak, have a pale color, high alcohol and fairly soft tannins. It’s a particularly interesting balance, characteristic of Macedonian wine. For grape varieties planted in the region, you’ll find Moschomavro and Xinomavro. Other varieties are also used: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Roditis, Malagousia and many more.
Wine from Central Macedonia
Unlike Western Macedonia, this region has no mountains. The sea has a huge influence on Central Macedonia’s wine. The grape varieties grown here are Negoska and Xinomavro, but also Roditis, Grenache and Merlot. A typical wine of the region comes from the Naoussa AOC. It has high acidity, beautiful structure and pronounced fruit. The AOC wines have evolved toward lower acidity, but they remain wines built for aging and a classic example of Macedonian wine. At Halkidiki, the climate is just about ideal for winegrowing. The sea and altitude greatly shape the wines here. There are two AOCs on the slopes of Mount Meliton. On the white side, you’ll find Athiri, Assyrtiko and Roditis. On the red side: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Limnio. Other varieties also show up, such as Malagousia and Syrah. Wine production on Mount Athos is ancient, dating back more than 1,000 years. It’s one of the oldest examples of Macedonian wine. Two monasteries account for almost all the local production. While World War II and then phylloxera hit these vines hard, a rebuilding effort has been underway since 1992.
Eastern Macedonia
Located just west of Thrace, Eastern Macedonia is particularly representative of the renaissance taking place in Greek wine. The Kavala vineyards enjoy an ideal position between the sea and Mount Pangeon, which shelters the vines from the cool northern winds. You’ll find Macedonian wine here that’s particularly fresh, intense and with strong fruit aromatics. Grape varieties grown in the area include Assyrtiko, Roditis, Malagousia, Muscat of Alexandria, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon and more. There’s huge diversity in the wines of Eastern Macedonia. Finally, the Drama region has seen major development in recent years. The quality of the wines produced makes it one of the most important areas in Greece. You’ll find many of the varieties already mentioned, plus Viognier and Trebbiano.
