The geographical department of Thrace is located on the north-eastern edge of Greece and borders Bulgaria in the north and Turkey in the east. In terms of vineyard size, this is a small viticultural area and one of the most remote regions of Greece. Thrace enjoys a relatively mild Mediterranean climate; however, due to latitude, it is considerably cooler than other Greek wine regions. The Rodopi mountain range acts as a barrier against the cold northern winds blowing from Bulgaria, and the region’s proximity to the North Aegean Sea moderates the extremes of the climate.
Coastal Vineyards of Avdira (ΠΓΕ Άβδηρα) in Xanthi. Pic courtesy of Wines Of Greece
Despite its long-standing tradition in winemaking, Thrace has only recently emerged in the market as a dynamic producer of high-quality wines. A small group of quality-oriented wineries, having made substantial investments, are bringing the “winds of change” and playing a significant role in defining the untapped potential of Thrace and its numerous grape varieties.
The local PGI Ismaros (ΠΓΕ Ίσμαρος), associated with the historical region of Maronia, in Rodopi, and the PGI Avdira (ΠΓΕ Άβδηρα) in Xanthi, are the main centers of production. Further towards the east, the regional PGI Evros is a productive and cool wine-growing area. There are no PDOs in Thrace; however, producers may also take advantage of the broader PGI Thrace (ΠΓΕ Θράκη), which encompasses all the regions and the grape varieties of the Thracian vineyard.
Maroneia vineyards in Rodopi. Pic courtesy of Wines of Greece.
The vineyard is planted with local specialties such as the small-berried, tannic, high-quality Mavroudi, or the refreshing, excellent for rosé wines, Pamidi, as well as the elegant red Limnio grape and the white Zoumiatiko. Greek classics such as Assyrtiko and Malagousia perform excellently in Thrace. International varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and so on, add to the diversity of wine offerings.
For more information, check out the Wines of Greece website or the New Wines of Greece YouTube channel.
