Agiorgitiko is one of the most popular grape varieties and the most widely planted red variety in Greece. Originating from the Peloponnese, particularly the Nemea region, it is cultivated to produce some of the most renowned Greek wines. Its delightful characteristics and adaptability have served as a "passport" for its cultivation in many other areas of Greece, such as Northern Greece, Thessaly, Attica, and of course, other regional units of the Peloponnese. It is one of the four flagship varieties selected to promote Greek wine in international markets.
It is believed that Agiorgitiko was the Fliasian grape, from which the Fliasian wine was produced in ancient times in the area now known as Nemea. During the Byzantine era, the settlement of Agios Georgios was established in the region, and the Fliasian grape was renamed Agiorgitiko.
It is a robust and productive plant, sensitive to diseases and drought. It ripens late, making it more vulnerable to autumn rains. The skins are rich in color and tannins, which, when properly ripened, are velvety and smooth. The acidity is moderate, and the alcohol content can reach high levels. These characteristics change when grown at higher altitudes, where cooler conditions extend the ripening process, resulting in fresher acidity and lower sugar content, and therefore lower alcohol production. Characteristic aromas of Agiorgitiko include fruity notes of strawberry, cherry, raspberry, currant, and plum, as well as sweet spices, chocolate, and tobacco.
Agiorgitiko is one of the most versatile varieties, with its characteristics varying significantly depending on the region in which it is grown. This results in a wide variety of wine types. Grapes from lower altitudes, using the classic red winemaking method and aging in oak barrels, produce aged red wines. The same method applied in cooler areas results in aromatic and fruity red wines for immediate consumption, while grapes from the coldest regions are used for rosé wines made from Agiorgitiko. These are the ideal locations for cultivating grapes intended for sparkling wines. Additionally, we find white wines made from Agiorgitiko using the blanc de noir method, as well as sweet red wines that are fortified or made from sun-dried grapes.
The blending of Agiorgitiko with other varieties is a common practice. For the production of red wines, the most characteristic blend is with the French variety Cabernet Sauvignon, a combination that yields some of the most popular Greek wines, as well as with the cosmopolitan Merlot, or the gifted Syrah. Greek varieties that blend beautifully with it include the equally Peloponnesian Mavrodaphne and Mavroudi for the production of red wines, while it pairs well with Moschofilero and Muscat of Hamburg to create juicy rosé wines.
Agiorgitiko is the variety from which the wines of Protected Designation of Origin Nemea are produced. Dry, semi-sweet, or sweet red wines (fortified or made from sun-dried grapes) from grapes grown in the designated areas of the regional units of Corinthia and Argolis, vinified according to specific standards, fall under the PDO Nemea zone. Additionally, it is permitted for the production of wines with Protected Geographical Indication from Northern Greece, Euboea, Boeotia, Attica, and the Peloponnese.