The Winery Κτήμα Ορφανού (Ktima Orfanou) of Macedonia

Discovering the wine region of Macedonia

Greek Macedonia (Makedonia) is an expansive region in Northern Greece. It is bordered by the Republic of North Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria to the north and the Aegean Sea in the South. The vineyards in the mountainous region are extensively planted to Xynomavro, along with Roditis, Limnio and the more-international Cabernet Sauvignon grape variety. Macedonian red wines are noted for their firm tannins and big flavors, and the best examples are among Greece's most-sought-after reds.

There are several PGI-level regional appellations alongside the PDO titles, including Drama, Kavala, Sithonia, Mount Athos and Thessaloniki. A large range of both native and international grape varieties are used for these appellations. Macedonia is perhaps slightly more Balkan than Mediterranean in terms of landscape. Furthermore, the Climate here has both Mediterranean and continental influences.

The latter manifest in the hot summers and colder winters. This is amplified by the usually mountainous locations of the vineyards, concentrated largely in the western Part of the region on the border of Epirus. Here, the appellations Amyndaio, Goumenissa and Naoussa produce some of Greece's most popular reds, made from Xynomavro. Further south on the Halkidiki Peninsula, wines bearing the Playes Melitona appellation feature Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Limnio.