The Field Guide

Northern Greece

Greece's answer to Barolo, grown on mountains most maps ignore. This is Xinomavro country — tannic, high-toned, built to age — spread across a handful of cool appellations below the Balkans.

Macedonia & Thessaly · five appellations

Northern Greece

Appellation map of Northern GreeceThessalonikiKozaniLarissaAEGEANAMYNDEONGOUMENISSANAOUSSASLOPES OF MELITONRAPSANI
The Field Guide · GreeceNotes from Chris Berry

The history

Wine older than the word for it — northern Greece has grown Xinomavro since antiquity, long overshadowed by the islands and the south.

The land

Continental and high: cold winters, mountain air off the Balkans, and the shadow of Mount Olympus falling across Rapsani's slopes.

Wine styles

Pale, fierce, tannic Xinomavro that softens into tomato, olive and dried rose with age — the Nebbiolo of the Aegean.

The underdogs to drink

Start with the grapes worth the detour. More guides land as we publish them.

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