📍 Mantinia

Mantinia is a high plateau in the centre of the Peloponnese in Greece, not far from the city of Tripoli, at about 650 metres above sea level. The plateau is ringed by mountains, summers are warm but not hot, nights are cool and autumn is long. This climate suits Moschofilero, the pride of the zone.

Moschofilero is a pinkish grape with scents of rose, citrus and Muscat notes, giving white wines with fresh acidity. The Mantinia PDO (protected designation of origin) requires the wine to be mostly Moschofilero. The wines are light, dry and floral, and go well with seafood and in summer. Sparkling and rosé wines are made too. Moschofilero is one of the most aromatic white grapes in Greece.

Mantinia belongs to the Peloponnese, a historic and wine-growing region of southern Greece. Nearby lies hilly Arcadia, where the ancient ruins of Mantineia survive.

For comparison with its neighbours: to the east lies Nemea, home of the red Agiorgitiko, to the north-west Patras, where the white Roditis grows, and to the south Laconia and Messenia with olive groves.