WINE & DISTILLATES

Thassos is famous for the dark red wines high in alcohol degrees (18 degrees) of Ancient Thassos which were diluted by the sommeliers with water. Today it produces the PGI Thassos wine. Also, in Thassos, as in Mount Athos, there is the forbidden hybrid variety “Tzortzina”, which has a characteristic aroma and becomes tsipouro. In addition, anyone on the island should visit the Archaeological Museum of Thassos and see the marble slab upon which the rules of trade and cultivation of wine are recorded, similar to the current laws on PDO and PGI wines.

The viticultural history of Drama goes back deep into time. Its modern history began relatively recently with the advantage of proper organization, large investments, and the selection of varieties of particular commercial interest. In the region of Drama, one can enjoy some of the most recognizable and successful Greek wine labels.

The Wine Route of Dionysus crosses the region of Xanthi where the wine interest is located in Avdira and where PGI Avdira wines are produced. Avdira, known as a wine-growing zone since antiquity, owes the high quality of its wines to the beautiful slopes with mild inclines and the clay-rich soils that retain valuable moisture, as well as the coolness ensured by the Nestos River to the vineyards planted at sea level.

The region of Maroneia, in Rodopi Prefecture, where the “Kikones” (Cicones) vineyards are located, is mentioned by the Wine Museum of Burgundy as the first region where wine was ever produced in Europe. Kikones were the first people to make wine, as recorded by Homer in both his epics. According to historical reports, during the Trojan War, Trojans and Greeks were supplied with wine from the vineyards of the Kikonians.

The largest part of the Evros vineyard and the interest for wine lovers is located in the Municipality of Soufli and the Trigono region, in the municipality of Orestiada, at the borders with Bulgaria and Turkey. These regions have local, old, varieties whose history dates back to the early 18th century.

In the region of Evros where PGI Evros wines are produced – particularly in Soufli – viticulture and wine production flourished from 1870 to the early 20th century, when the French who settled in the area, on the occasion of the construction of the Orient Express line, contributed to the planting of many French varieties. The French taught the locals the method of linear vineyards, while in the rest of Greece, linear cultivation began in the early 80s.

Samothrace, which is now officially on the wine map of Greece, produces remarkable bottled wines while the local Wine Cooperative has pot stills and produces tsipouro.