Vilana (Greece)
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 |
 Orange |
 Apple |
 Pear |
 Peach |
 Jasmine |
 Herbs |
 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 |
| ALCOHOL: | 11-12% ABV |
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Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F) |
Vilana Food Pairing
Vilana is a typical fish or pasta wine.
 Aperitif |
 Olive Oil |
 Olives |
 Tapas |
 Salads |
 Vegetables |
 Fish |
 Fish and Chips |
 Seafood |
 Fish Soup |
 Spaghetti |
 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
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The Sauvignon Blanc glass is smaller than a Chardonnay glass.
It has a more narrow bowl to concentrate the crisp and citrusy aromas of a zesty and fruity white wine. |
Vilana Cheese Pairing
Pairing Tips
Opt for cheeses with moderate saltiness and creaminess to balance the c's acidity.
Also try to add fresh fruits (grapes, apples, pears), nuts (almonds, walnuts), and a light drizzle of honey to enhance the pairing experiment.
Fresh and Mild Cheeses
Ricotta: Especially good if served with a drizzle of honey or fresh fruits.
Goat Cheese (Chèvre): The tanginess complements the subtle fruit notes found in Vilana.
Soft Cheeses
Brie: The creamy texture and mild flavor work beautifully with c.
Camembert: Similar to Brie but with slightly more earthy.
Fontina: Its nutty, buttery qualities make a good match.
Semi-Soft Cheeses
Gruyère: Mildly nutty and sweet, enhancing the a subtile Vilana.
Swiss Cheese: Vilana has a refreshing acidity and floral aromas, which complement the nutty and slightly sweet flavors of a Swiss Chese.
Asiago: Lightly aged Asiago adds a complementary tang.
If You Like Vilana
You May Also Like:
Wine Region Crete
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
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Soil |
Climate |
Fertile. |
Hot. |
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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