📍 Rhodes

Rhodes is a large island in the Aegean Sea, in eastern Greece, near the coast of Turkey. It belongs to the Dodecanese group and to the Aegean Islands wine region. The climate is hot and dry, but cooler at altitude and closer to the mountains.

Vineyards lie on the slopes of Mount Attavyros, the island's highest (about 1,215 metres), and on the plateau around it. The main grapes are the white Athiri and the red Mandilaria. Athiri gives fresh whites with citrus and floral notes; Mandilaria gives dark, tannic reds with high acidity, which are softened by blending with other grapes.

The Rhodes denomination of origin (PDO) covers white, red and sparkling wines. There is also a separate denomination, Muscat of Rhodes, a sweet Muscat wine. The sparkling is made from Athiri.

Rhodes is part of Greek island winemaking. Wine was drunk here in antiquity: the island was famous for stamped amphorae in which wine was shipped across the Mediterranean. Athiri suits seafood, and sweet Muscat desserts with honey and nuts. The name Rhodes on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.