Xinomavro (Greece)
Xinomavro wines are often compared to Nebbiolo from Italy.
The name is a conjunction of the Greek words for acid and black.
Xinomavro Flavors
Xinomavro displays a fruity and juicy nose with Dark Berries, Wild Berries, Forest Floor, Herbs and Dried Fruit.
 Olive |
 Cherry |
 Wild Cherry |
 Cranberry |
 Herbs |
 Flowers |
 Tomato |
 Prunes |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging:
 Tar |
 Hazelnuts |
 Spices |
 Tobacco |
Xinomavro Profile
Xinomavro wines are typically full-bodied with strong acidity and high tannins:
| BODY: | Medium - Full |
| TANNINS: | Medium - High |
| FRUIT: | Medium Plus |
| ACIDITY: | Medium - High |
| ALCOHOL: | 13% |
 |
Serving temperatures: 16-17°C (61-63°F) |
Xinomavro Food Pairing
Xinomavro is a powerful red wine. It pairs best with strong and rich flavors.
 Charcuterie |
 Salami |
 Duck |
 Goose |
 Pork |
 Lamb |
 Veal |
 Meat |
 Rabbit |
 Wild Boar |
 Deer |
 Hamburger |
Excellent Pairings
Pasta with strong Tomato Sauce.
Rich Charcuterie. Salami.
Rich Stews. Beef Stew. Ragù. Stroganof.
Meat Pie. Shepherd's Pie.
Duck Brest. Confit. Roast Goose.
Game. Rabbit. Wild Boar. Deer.
Roasted Beef. Lamb. Veal. Liver.
Read Meat. Fillet Steak.
Greece Specialities
Stifatho. (Veal Stew with Onions).
Baked vegetables.
The Ideal Glass for Xinomavro
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The Bordeaux Glass was designed for enjoying fuller-bodied, tannic red wines. They are taller than other red wine glasses, and has a slimmer bowl. The tall size allows the bouquet of the wine to develop, smooth out rough edges, play down tannins, and allow the wine to achieve balance. The slimmer bowl directs the wine to the back of your mouth for a maximum taste. |
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About
Xinomavro is the Greece's most planted red grape, planted everywhere in central and northern Greece.
In Macedonia, it is the main grape in the red wines of PDO Naoussa, PDO Amynteo, PDO Goumenissa.
In Thessaly it is the main grape in PDO Rapsani.
Wine Region Central Macedonia
Macedonia Wines
Macedonia, located in the north of Greece, is famous for its red wines made exclusively from the Xinomavro grape.
These wines are often compared to Nebbiolo from Italy, displaying bold tannins, high acidity, and flavors of dark fruits, tomatoes, and spices.
Naoussa PDO and Amynteo PDO in Macedonia, and Rapsani PDO in Thessaly, are considered the top expressions of the Xinomavro grape in Greece.
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
Xinomavro |
Assyrtiko |
Soil |
Climate |
Heavy textured soils. |
Mediterranean |
PDO Regions
Macedonia has 4 PDO regions:
PDO Naoussa (1971)
PDO Amynteo (1972)
PDO Goumenissa (1979)
PDO Slopes of Meliton (1982)
PDO Naoussa (ΠΟΠ Νάουσα)
Naoussa is Greece's most important Xinomavro region.
It is nnown for producing robust, age-worthy red wines with notes of red fruit, earth, and sometimes hints of olives or sun-dried tomatoes.
PDO Requirements:
Dry Red from 100% Xinomavro.
Semi-Dry Redfrom 100% Xinomavro.
Semi-Sweet Reds from 100% Xinomavro.
PDO Amynteo (ΠΟΠ Αμύνταιο)
Amynteo is also one of the great Xinomavro terroirs.
Located near Naoussa but at a higher altitude, Amynteo is known for its Xinomavro wines, including both reds and sparkling rosés. The cool climate brings a more delicate expression of Xinomavro, often with a red berry profile, and the sparkling wines from the area have gained attention for their finesse and unique character.
PDO Requirements:
Dry Reds from 100% Xinomavro.
Dry Rosés from 100% Xinomavro.
Sparkling Dry from 100% Xinomavro.
Sparkling Semi-Dry Rosés from 100% Xinomavro.
PDO Goumenissa (ΠΟΠ Γουμένισσα)
The addition of the Negoska grape makes Goumenissa wines softer and intensifies the color and the alcohol content.
PDO requirements:
Dry Red from max 80% Xinomavro and min 20% Negoska.
PDO Slopes of Meliton (ΠΟΠ Πλαγιές Μελίτωνα)
PDO requirements:
Dry White from 50% Athiri, 35% Roditis and 15% Assyrtiko.
Dry Red from 70% Limnio and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon / Cabernet Franc.
Drama and Kavala
Drama and Kavala have no PDO regions, but they are still considered two of the most significant viticultural regions of Greece. Pioneering producers in this area have created some of the most special and interesting Greek wines.
Dramas is known for elegant and aromatic white wines made from Assyrtiko grapes.
Kavala is known for award winning wines based on Assyrtiko and Semillon, on par with best white Bordeaux.
Wine Region Thessaly
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
|
|
Roditis |
Soil |
Climate |
Sandy Clay. |
Mediterranean |
Thessaly Wines
Thessaly wines range from full bodied reds from Xinomavro and Messenikola grapes, to aromatic and fresh whites from Roditis grapes.
Thessaly is also known for high-quality red wines from the Limniona grape.
Thessaly PDO Regions
Thessaly (Central Greece) has 3 PDO regions:
PDO Anchialos (1971)
PDO Messenikola (1994)
PDO Rapsani (1971)
PDO Anchialos (ΠΟΠ Αγχίαλος)
PDO requirements:
Dry White from min 80% Roditis + Savatiano.
Medium Dry White from min 80% Roditis + Savatiano.
Medium Sweet White from min 80% Roditis + Savatiano.
PDO Mesenikola (ΠΟΠ Μεσενικόλα)
PDO requirements:
Dry Red from min 70% Messenikola
and max 30% Carignan + Syrah.
PDO Rapsani (ΠΟΠ Ραψάνη)
PDO Rapsani is one of the 4 PDO zones for Xinomavro.
PDO requirements:
Dry Red from Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto.