W3 Wine School

Greek Grapes

Vilana

Vilana

Vilana is an old Greek white wine grape from the island of Crete.

Vilana is the undisputed queen of white varieties of the island

Vilana Flavors

Vilana show flavors of Lemon, Orange, Pear, Flowers (Jasmine), and Herbs.

Lemon
Lemon
Orange
Orange
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Peach
Peach
Jasmine
Jasmine
Herbs
Herbs
Spices
Spices

Vilana Profile

Vilana is fresh, light in body yet broad in shape, with soft acidity and medium alcohol:

SUGAR:Dry (3 g/l)
BODY:Light
FRUIT:Medium - Low
ACIDITY:Medium - Plus
ALCOHOL:11-12% ABV
Temperature Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)

Vilana Food Pairing

Vilana is a typical fish or pasta wine.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Olive Oil
Olive Oil
Olives
Olives
Tapas
Tapas
Salads
Salads
Vegetables
Vegetables
Fish
Fish
Fries
Fish and Chips
Seafood
Seafood
Soup
Fish Soup
Spaghetti
Spaghetti
Pasta
Pasta

Excellent Pairings

Greece Cuisine.
Salads. Olive Oil. Tomatoes.
Vegetables. Artichoke. Arugula. Asparagus.
Fennel. Pesto. Spinach. Zucchini.
Japanese Fusion. Sushi. Tempura.
Fried Calamari. Crab. Lobster.
Seafood Pasta. Spaghetti with Clams.
Tomato based Sauces.

Greek Sepecialities:

Greek salads. Tomato. Cucumber. Olives. Feta.


The Ideal Glass for Vilana

The Sauvignon Blanc glass is smaller than a Chardonnay glass.

It has a more narrow bowl to concentrate the crisp and citrusy aromas of zesty and fruity white wines.

Vilana Cheese Pairing

Vilana is known for its crisp and fruity profile. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses.

Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the wine's acidity. You can also add accompaniments like fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), and a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing.

Fresh and Mild Cheeses

Mozzarella: Its delicate flavor pairs well with the wine's lightness.

Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes in Vilana.

Semi-Soft Cheeses

Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.

Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with Vilana.

Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthiness.

Hard Cheeses

Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang to the wine.

Manchego: A classic Spanish pairing, especially younger Manchego, which is less intense.

Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the wine's subtlety.

Blue Cheeses (for contrast)

Robiola: Its mild creaminess contrasts nicely without overpowering the wine.

If You Like Vilana

You May Also Like:

Altesse (France)
Arneis (Italy)
Chenin Blanc Dry (France)
Douro Branco (Portugal)
Etna Bianco (Italy)
Falangina (Italy)
Fiano (Italy)
Kerner (Germany)
Riesling (Alsace, France)
Rousette (France)
Roupeiro (Portugal)
Vermentino (Italy)
Verdicchio (Italy)

Wine Region Crete

Crete

Black Grapes

White Grapes

Cabernet Sauvignon

Liatiko
Kotsifali
Mandilaria

Sauvignon

Vilana
Vidiano

Soil

Climate

Soil

Fertile.
Calcareous Clay.

Climate

Hot.
High Altitudes.
Beneficial winds.

Crete PDO Regions

Crete is the largest Greek island. It has a long winemaking history, dating back thousands of years, with an array indigenous grapes:

Liatiko is used to make both dry and sweet red wines, often with a light to medium body and hints of dried fruit.

Kotsifali, often blended with Mandilaria, creates balanced, fruit-forward reds.

Vilana is the most important white grape of the island.

Vidiano is an emerging star. It produces high-quality wines with moderate acidity and complex aromas of peach, apricot, melon, herbs and honey.

Crete as 4 PDO regions created in 1971:


PDO Archanes (ΠΟΠ Αρχάνες)

Dry Reds from Kotsifali and Mandilaria


PDO Dafnes (ΠΟΠ Δαφνές)

Dry Reds from 100% Liatiko
Sweet Red from 100% sun-dried Liatiko
Sweet Red from 100% fortified Liatiko


PDO Peza (ΠΟΠ Πεζά)

Dry Reds from Kotsifali and Mandilaria
Dry Whites from 100% Vilana


PDO Sitia (ΠΟΠ Σητεία)

Dry Reds from min 80% Liatiko and Mandilaria
Dry Whites: from 70% Vilana and 30 Thrapsathiri
Sweet Reds from 100% sun-dried Liatiko
Sweet Reds from 100% fortified Liatiko


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