Peloponnesian wines are among the best in the world. Wine-producers in Peloponnese annually receive awards at world class events and are the ambassadors of wine culture in Greece. A detailed list of famous and distinguished wines from the Region of Peloponnese is as follows:

PDO (VLQPRD) wines:

• PDO (VLQPRD) Nemea (Corinth, Argolis),
• PDO(VLQPRD) Mantineia (Arcadia),
• PDO Monemvasia-Malvasia (Laconia).
• PGI wines (local)

by regional Unit:

• PGI Corinthia (Corinthian Local Wine),
• PGI Messinia (Messinian Local Wine),
• PGI Laconia (Laconian Local Wine),
• PGI Arcadia (Arcadian Local Wine),
• PGI Argolis (Argolian Local Wine).

by region:

• PGI Klimenti (Corinthia),
• PGI Trifyllia & PGI Pylia (Messinia),
• PGI Tegea (Arcadia).

by variety:

• Agiorgitiko (Nemea Corinthia & elsewhere, red)
• Sklava, (Corinthia, Argolis, red)
• Roditis (throughout Peloponnese, rosé)
• Fileri (Messinia, white)
• Thrapsa (Laconia, red)
• Kydonitsa (Laconia, white)
• Mavroudi (Laconia, white)
• Petroulianos (Laconia, white)
• Moschofilero (Arcadia, rosé)
• Rokaniaris (Argolis, white).

The history of wine is intertwined with that of Peloponnese. Viticulture throughout Peloponnese dates back to deep antiquity. Worship in Peloponnese was intertwined with the Sacred Wine and the tradition of bacchanalian rituals. It is therefore justifiable that this age-old relationship should produce fine wines that embody in their ethereal aromas all the history of Peloponnese.

Wine Roads

Wine Roads is an institution combining a disposition for touring and travelling with a love of wine. Whosoever chooses to travel these enchanting roads, will have the chance to enjoy excellent wines, combined with high-end local dishes and to tour scenery of unrivalled natural beauty. Wine-producers in the Region of Peloponnese are dedicated to fondly participating in this institution. Wine lovers have the opportunity to become acquainted with wine history, cultivation and wine-making practices, to tour production and bottling facilities, to stay at authentic hostels and take part in tasting sessions. In Nemea, a predominantly wine-making area that participates in Wine Roads, the altitude ranges from 200 to 800 metres. The variety prevailing is Agiorgitiko, a fine vine capable of producing an extensive range of wines. The famous wines Nemea Appellation of Superior Quality come from this. But not only these: the rosé wines and aged reds are also considered exceptional.

Along with other varieties, local wines are produced, including: Plagion Petrotou, Argous, Peloponnisiakos, Plagion Oreinis Corinthias, Corinthiakos, Klimenti, Iliou. The fruity aromas and flavours of these wines are distinctive. The rosé wines from the area are characterized by their unique hues, reminiscent of rose. Red wines from Nemea are particularly suitable for aging. The Wine Roads network continues into Mantineia, the heart of primitive Arcadia.

The viticultural zone of PDO Mantineia, established in 1971, extends through the central-eastern section of the Arcadia Regional Unit, between the mountains of Parnonas to the east and Mainalo to the west, and across the Mantineia Plateau, whose average altitude is 660m. In the wider region, the zone of PDO Mantineia includes sections of the areas of Tripoli (Tripoli, Agios Vassileios, Agios Konstantinos, Merkovouni, Pelagos, Skopi), Valtetsi (Dafni), Korythio (Agiorgitika, Zevgolatio, Neochori, Partheni, Steno), Levidi (Kandila, Levidi, Orchomenos, Palaiopyrgos), Mantineia (Artemisio, Kapsia, Loukas, Nestani, Pikerni, Sanga, Simiades) and Tegea (Lithovounia).

Travellers to the region get a glimpse of the Mantineia Plateau on leaving the Artemisio tunnel. The plateau is an elongated expanse, extending in a north-south direction, with a total length of about 36 kilometres. Apart from lowland expanses, the moschofilero is also grown on the low-lying slopes of the mountains surrounding the plateau. The grapes mature slowly and harvest is late, during October. There are two distinct aromatic and flavour profiles among the wines PDO Mantineia. Grapes grown on the plateau are more aromatic, with the aroma of rose prevailing, while grapes from the slopes have a more pronounced aroma of citrus fruits and higher acidity. The moschofilero grape, which produces the exceptional Mantineia wines, is considered to be one of the most aromatic and noble varieties of vine. Within the zone 11 wineries are in operation, producing PDO Mantineia wines. Moschofilero though is so popular and sought after that under the necessary collaboration required by the law, PDO Mantineia is produced by 20 wineries outside the zone.

Most vineyards use organic methods, producing in this way top-quality wines. Today varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer are used in wine-making in the area, producing local wines like Arcadia, Tegea, Peloponnisiakos; white wines with a rich aroma, as well as reds that are suitable for aging.

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