Greece — wine

Naoussa

The most prestigious red wine appellation in northern Greece, located in the Imathia regional unit of Central Macedonia at the foot of Mount Vermio. Naoussa produces wines exclusively from Xinomavro — Greece's greatest and most demanding red variety, whose name translates literally as 'acid-black'. On the sandy clay and limestone soils of the Naoussa plateau at 200–350m altitude, Xinomavro achieves remarkable complexity, earning comparisons to Nebbiolo for its tannic structure, high acidity, and capacity for long aging.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Outstanding Naoussa vintage; Xinomavro achieved exceptional tannin ripeness and aromatic complexity on the Vermio slopes
2022 Fine balanced year with elegant Xinomavro; good typicity with tomato-herb character and firm tannic structure
2021 Long, cool ripening season produced Xinomavro of exceptional finesse and mineral precision. Among the decade's finest vintages.
2020 Warm year with good natural acidity preserved by altitude. Rich, concentrated wines with good tannic structure.
2019 Outstanding across all quality levels. Single-vineyard wines of Burgundy-like site expression.
2018 Classic Naoussa vintage — powerful, tannic wines requiring extended cellaring.
2017 Late spring frosts reduced yields significantly. Concentrated, complex survivors of exceptional quality.