Greece

History of Viticulture in Greece: A Millennial Heritage

Greek viticulture dates back over 6,000 years, with evidence of vine cultivation from 4,000 BC. In ancient Greece, wine held a central place, celebrated by the god Dionysus and mentioned in Homer's epics. This period illustrates the importance of wine in ancient Greek culture and society. However, the country's historical upheavals hindered the development of viticulture, relegating Greece to a secondary position on the world stage.

Today, the country's viticulture is experiencing a revival thanks to modern techniques and a new generation of passionate winemakers. These producers combine ancestral know-how and innovation to create quality wines. Indigenous grapes like Assyrtiko, Agiorgitiko, and Xynomavro are regaining their noble status, coexisting with international varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.


Greece is thus reasserting itself as a land of unique wines, blending millennial traditions with contemporary demands.

Discover the Authenticity of Greek Grape Varieties

Greece, the cradle of civilization and wine, boasts a rich wine heritage with an impressive diversity of grapes. With 300 indigenous grapes cultivated on 70,000 hectares dedicated to wine production, the country offers a unique palette of flavors and aromas. These grapes provide insight into the ancient history of Greek vineyards, where 85% of the area is dedicated to local varieties, while international grapes represent only 15% of plantings. Here's an overview of Greece's emblematic grapes.


Assyrtiko

Originating from the volcanic lands of Santorini, Assyrtiko is a white grape distinguished by its exceptional freshness and minerality. This grape variety, responsible for some of Greece's best white wines, pairs perfectly with seafood and summer salads, offering a unique and refreshing tasting experience.

Xinomavro

Primarily cultivated in Macedonia, this red grape is often compared to the great crus of Italian Piedmont. With complex aromas of red fruits, spices, and sun-dried tomatoes, it pairs ideally with roasted meat dishes.

Liatiko

Growing in the highlands of Crete, Liatiko reveals intense aromas of black cherry and wild berries. This grape is the symbol of Cretan vineyards, where it thrives at an altitude of 650 meters.


Savatiano

Nicknamed "Attica's gold" by the Romans, Savatiano is cultivated around Athens. This white grape offers a dazzling yellow color and subtle aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, with a saline finish that charms the palate.


Moschofilero

Originating from the Peloponnese, this white grape is renowned for its aromatic character, reminiscent of Muscats. Its nuances of rose, orange blossom, and lime appeal to lovers of fresh and floral wines.


Roditis

A versatile grape with pink skin, Roditis is cultivated throughout Greece. When well-crafted, it produces elegant wines with notes of jasmine and flavors of citrus and white fruits like pear.



Muscat à Petits Grains: The Pride of Our Shop

Among this diversity, Muscat à Petits Grains stands out as an essential and unique grape in our selection. This grape, probably of Greek origin, has been cultivated since High Antiquity and is considered the oldest of the Muscats.

The bunches of Muscat à Petits Grains are small to medium, with smaller berries than those of Muscat of Alexandria. This grape variety gives birth to wines with characteristic rose aromas, combined with a very distinctive sweet juice. Its adaptation to calcareous soils and early ripening make it a valuable variety, despite some susceptibility to diseases.


Muscat à Petits Grains is a versatile grape, used to produce a varied range of wines:
Sweet wines: rich and complex, perfect for accompanying desserts. Dry white wines: elegant and aromatic, ideal for aperitifs. Sparkling wines: bubbly and festive, perfect for special occasions.


This grape is the jewel of our Greek selection. It embodies both the authenticity and excellence of the Greek winemaking tradition. You can find this unique variety in our shop, chosen to proudly represent Greece and its exceptional wine heritage.

Greek Wines: An Immersion in Exceptional Terroirs


Greece is a land of contrasts where rugged terrain and climatic diversity create ideal conditions for viticulture. With its varied landscapes, ranging from volcanic islands to green hills, each wine region of Greece produces unique wines that reflect the character of its soil. Here is an overview of the main Greek wine regions before delving into the richness of Samos, the island that gives life to the wines in our shop.


The Main Wine Regions of Greece: The Peloponnese and its exceptional wines

Representing nearly a quarter of the country's wine production, the Peloponnese is a flagship region. The vineyards located on the coast of the Gulf of Corinth and the Ionian Sea benefit from a mild Mediterranean climate. The region is renowned for its full-bodied red wines and aromatic white wines, made from emblematic grape varieties such as Agiorgitiko.


Santorini and its volcanic soils

Santorini, a famous volcanic island, is renowned for its white wines of exceptional minerality, mainly from the Assyrtiko grape. The vines, cultivated in soils composed of ash and pumice, produce grapes concentrated in flavors, offering wines with remarkable freshness and structure, perfectly represented by the Assyrtiko grape variety.


The Hills of Nemea: a rich terroir

Located in the Peloponnese, the hills of Nemea are the birthplace of the Agiorgitiko grape variety. The clay and limestone soils combined with the mild climate allow for the production of rich red wines, with notes of red fruits and spices, and a beautiful tannic structure.


Macedonia and its powerful wines

In northern Greece, Macedonia is distinguished by its robust and tannic wines. The Xinomavro grape variety gives rise to complex crus, often compared to the great Italian Nebbiolo wines, perfect for accompanying tasty meats.


Crete, land of sun and character

Grape varieties such as Vidiano and Liatiko from the island of Crete thrive in a warm climate tempered by sea breezes. Cretan wines, rich in character, are distinguished by their fruity and floral expressions, often associated with a saline note, which perfectly reflect the unique soil of Crete.






Samos: The Jewel of Our Collection

Among all these fascinating regions, this island holds a special place in our shop, because it is from this land that the Greek wines we offer come. Located in the Aegean Sea, it is renowned for its exceptional Muscat wines, produced from the Muscat à Petits Grains grape variety.


An exceptional soil

The renown of Samos Muscat rests on a unique combination of factors:
Ideal soils and climate: The island's volcanic and calcareous soils, combined with generous sunshine, create perfect conditions for Muscat cultivation. An age-old tradition: Samos winemakers use traditional methods passed down from generation to generation, guaranteeing wines of impeccable quality. An exceptional grape variety: Muscat à Petits Grains produces grapes concentrated in sugar and aromas, offering wines with floral and fruity notes.

A variety of styles
Samos wines come in several styles, each reflecting the excellence of local know-how:
Sweet wines: Perfect for accompanying desserts or aged cheeses. Dry white wines: Aromatic and elegant, perfect for aperitifs or light dishes. Sparkling wines: Refreshing and festive, ideal for celebrating great moments.

Why Choose a Wine from Samos?

Choosing a wine from this part of Greece means opting for elegance and authenticity. The region combines a millennial history, modern innovation with projects like Sous le Végétal, and exceptional quality thanks to its unique soil.

Let yourself be seduced by our Samos wines and discover a world of aromas and flavors, reflecting the best of viticultural Greece.






Greek Winemakers: A Millennial Tradition Revisited

Greece is a land of ancient viticulture, where generations of winemakers have shaped the wine landscape by adapting to unique geographical conditions and indigenous grape varieties. Among them, the Sous le Végétal estate, on this volcanic land, stands out as a truly exceptional wine project. This estate is the only representative of Greek wines in our shop, and it perfectly embodies the alliance between tradition and innovation.


Sous le Végétal: The Revival of Natural Wine on the Island of Samos

The Sous le Végétal adventure began with the rediscovery of forgotten Muscat à Petits Grains and Avgoustiatis vines on this volcanic land. This region, rich in a viticultural heritage dating back to 1200 BC, was chosen by the famous winemaker Patrick Bouju, nicknamed the "volcano winemaker," and by Jason Ligas, for an ambitious project: to revive a mythical soil through environmentally friendly practices and natural winemaking. This unique estate is a remarkable example of the fusion between nature and artisanal know-how.

A collective and visionary project
Sous le Végétal relies on a strong team to achieve its ambition:
Patrick Bouju, a specialist in volcanic wines, supervises natural winemaking. Alexiou Vassilis, chief winemaker, leads the Wander by Samos teams, who carefully regenerate the ancient vines. Culinaries, financier and exclusive distributor, ensures that each bottle meets the standards of winemaking without chemical inputs.

The practices used are inspired by permaculture: chamomile, nettles, and natural oils protect the vine, while the winemaking process is entirely based on gravity and draining, without pressing.


Six cuvées to reveal the soul of Samos
Sous le Végétal produces six cuvées of unique quality – five whites and one red – made from grapes grown in different parts of the island. Each wine highlights the identity of Samos's micro-terroirs, with varied profiles ranging from saline and mineral notes to more complex and earthy aromas. These "auteur" wines appeal to both natural wine enthusiasts and those discovering this segment for the first time.


Why Sous le Végétal Is Unique In Our Shop
Sous le Végétal is not just a wine estate; it is a committed approach to preserving and enhancing Greek wine heritage. With its environmentally friendly practices and its roots in the history of Samos, this project embodies the excellence of natural Greek wines.


As the only Greek estate represented in our shop, Sous le Végétal invites you on a unique journey through the authentic flavors and cultural richness of Greece. Discover wines that combine tradition, innovation, and respect for the terroir.

Dive into the world of Sous le Végétal and explore the treasures of Samos through a selection of exceptional natural wines.