About 45 of Greece's over 200 grape varieties are the source for a range of modern wines that cover all known classes and styles. Below, here, are lists of the principal local varieties used by winemakers in Greece. These wine-makers are to be found on the more than 50 large commercial wine estates, as well as on small-holdings were the owner may have a pocket handkerchief-size vineyard where he cultivates vines to make wine for his own consumption.

INDIGENOUS WHITE GRAPES

Here follows a list of the principal white varieties:

Aidani Aspro.
Asproudes
Assyrtiko
Athiri
Daphni
Debina
Kakotryghis
Lagorthi
Malagousia
Monemvassia
Moschato
Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat Spinas
Plyto
Robola
Roditis
Savatiano
Sideritis
TsaoussiVilana
Volitsa Aspri

Of all of these, the Assyrtiko is arguably Greece's finest white cultivar. It grows predominantly on Santorini and other Cycladic islands. The vines are impervious to drought, and adapt easily to a wide variety of micro-climates.
Most of these grape varieties mature from mid-August to mid-September, except the Daphni variety which matures in early October.
The Savatiano grape is Greece's most widely-planted white variety. It covers 15% of Greece's wine-bearing acreage and provides a base for white brand-name table wines as well retsina. The vines are drought and disease resistant. They are also easy to cultivate.

INDIGENOUS BLANC DE GRIS GRAPES

Blanc de gris describes a group of wine-bearing grapes whose skin-colours vary from light pink to dark purple. The flavours imparted by these skins range from intense floral to spice aromas. All blanc de gris varieties have a white pulp. The two main varieties are:

Fileri
Moschofilero

INDIGENOUS RED GRAPES

Aghiorghitiko
Aidani Mavro
Athiri Mavro
Avgoustiatis
Kotsifali
Krassato
Liatiko
Limnio
Mandelaria
Mavrodaphne
Mavroudi
Muscat of Hamburg
Negoska
Stavroto
Thiniatiko
Volitza Mavri
Xinomavro

Aghiorghitiko and Xinomavro are Greece's two top red varieties. They have aromas noted for their pleasant fruitiness. The Xinomavro variety of grape dominates in northern Greece. The name Xinomavro refers to the grape's inherent high acidity and colour. Its versatility makes it responsible for a wide range of styles. Bottle-ageing reveals a bouquet strongly reminiscent of the great Burgandy reds. Mavrodaphne is a name that will be familiar to many wine consumers in the UK as it is extensively imported into that country. The Mavrodaphne produces a port-like dessert wine.

A small domestic vineyard