Over the last decade, Xinomavro has become one of Greece’s leading red grapes and is often considered the greatest of native varieties.
Planted in northern and central Greece, the variety can be found in four of Greece’s Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) including Naoussa, Amynteo, Goumenissa, and Rapsani.
In the vineyard Xinomavro is inconsistent and requires careful management, and in the winery close attention and time is required to tame its tough tannins and high acid. But when produced well, Xinomavro can resemble the structure of Nebbiolo with balanced firm tannins and bright acidity, and distinct aromas of fresh and dried red fruits, flowers, tomatoes, tobacco, black olives and spice.
Scroll down to see the top 11 Xinomavro wines of DWWA 2024
Typically released after at least two years of ageing, Xinomavro’s notable acidity and tannins give the wines good cellaring potential, and also make the wine an ideal accompaniment to foods. Unoaked versions akin to Pinot Noir pair well with foods like mushroom risotto, pork and lamb, and oak-influenced styles with game or even dry-aged steak.
Xinomavro grapes
Xinomavro is best known for its production as a red wine, but can also be used to make good rosés, aromatic sparkling and sweet wines.
It is produced as a varietal wine or can be blended with both indigenous and international varieties — a higher percentage Xinomavro often adding more structure to the wine.
Celebrated on 1 November, International Xinomavro Day was established by Winemakers of North Greece to grow awareness of and highlight one of Greece’s most prised indigenous varieties. Regarded as a ‘Greek Ambassador’ variety alongside Assyrtiko, Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko, get to know Xinomavro with a selection of award-winning sparkling, rosé and red wines from the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Xinomavro: 11 award-winning Greek wines to try
Rosé
Alpha Estate, Single Vineyard Hedgehog, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2023
Silver, 90 points
Restrained notes of exotic fruits, red cherries, green olives and tomato paste. Well layered on the palate, refreshing and long. Alcohol 13%
Oenops Wines, Apla Xinomavro-Mavroudi-Limniona, Varietal Wine 2023
Silver, 90 points
Attractive aromas with ripe cherries and strawberries, sea salt notes with fresh baked bread. Supple round palate, fresh and long. Alc 13%
Red
Alpha Estate, Hedgehog Xinomavro, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2021
Gold, 95 points
A delicate feminine style with ripples of red berry, white tea and rose circling the nose and palate. Perfectly designed for endless sipping. Pure joy! Alc 14%
Kir-Yianni, Diaporos Xinomavro, Imathia, Macedonia 2019
Gold, 95 points
Bounteous red plums, cherries and dried herbs ooze lusciously across the palate and fuse seamlessly with the silky chocolate ganache tannins and contrasting black olive acidity. Alc 14%
Kir-Yianni, Cuvée Villages Xinomavro, Naoussa, Macedonia 2021
Silver, 92 points
Attractive aromas of plums compote, thyme honey, green tea and crushed stones. Dense compact palate with high fine grained tannins. Alc 14.5%
Mikro Ktima Titos, Goumenissa, Macedonia 2021
Silver, 91 points
Delicate aromas of pomegranate, red currant juice and dried herbs. Ripe and round on the palate, silky and soft. Alc 13%
Noema Winery, Invicta Xinomavro, Amyndeon, Macedonia 2020
Silver, 91 points
Well layered nose with some mineral character, notes of green tea, bramble and hints of vanilla spice. Ripe and grainy tannins. Alc 12%
Amyntas, Petraia, Florina, Macedonia 2020
Silver, 90 points
Strawberry jam and ripe red currants, with tobacco, green herbs and an elegant mushroomy character. Bright and well textured. Alc 13%
Kappa Winery, Kokkymelo Xinomavro, Imathia, Macedonia 2022
Silver, 90 points
Wild red strawberries and cranberries, plenty of cherry blossom and almost an orange skin nose. Very tight and concentrated. Alc 13%
Kechris Winery, Xinomavro, Slopes of Paiko, Macedonia 2021
Silver, 90 points
Expressive with notes of acacia honey, bitter chocolate, blueberries and sun dried tomatoes. Lifted palate, textural, with a firm acidity. Alc 13.5%
Wine Art Estate, Idisma Drios Xi 2019
Silver, 90 points
A lot of sweet spice on the forefront, with notes of raspberry, dried roses and black olives. Easy approach, lengthy. Alc 14.4%
