The Wine Reference🍷 SupportXinomavro grape
Xinomavro is a red grape known for red cherry, tomato leaf, olive. Its best-known homes are Naoussa, Greece.
Origin and history
Native to northern Greece, in Macedonia, where it has long been the main red grape; its name means 'acid-black'.
Where it grows
Naoussa, Amyndeon, Goumenissa and Rapsani in northern Greece.
Structure
Medium body, pale-ish colour that browns early, high acidity and high, grippy tannins: often compared to Nebbiolo.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: red cherry, raspberry, tomato leaf, olive and dried herbs. With age: sun-dried tomato, leather, tobacco, spice and truffle.
Ageing
Top Naoussa needs 5–10 years and can age 20 years or more.
Also known as
Mavro Naoussis, Popolka.
Good to know
Naoussa was one of Greece's first appellations (1971); cool Amyndeon uses Xinomavro for rosé and traditional-method sparkling wine.
Xinomavro wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Kir-Yianni Ramnista
Naoussa · Xinomavro
Greece's answer to Nebbiolo: sour cherry, tomato, olive and firm tannins.
Food: Moussaka, lamb kleftiko, feta dishes
Thymiopoulos Vineyards Jeunes Vignes de Xinomavro
Naoussa · Xinomavro
Young-vine Xinomavro made for drinking now: red cherry, tomato leaf and spice with bright acidity.
Food: Moussaka, souvlaki
Similar red grapes
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass