The white grape variety originates from Greece. The name is derived from the island of Rhodes (not from the reddish berries). Synonyms are Alepou, Alepou Roditis, Arilogos Roditis, Arsenikos Roditis, Kanellato, Kritsanisti, Lisitsines, Litsitsines, Rhodites, Rhoditi, Rhoditis, Rodea Stafyli, Rodites, Roditi, Roditis Alepou, Roditis Kanellatos, Roditis Rosé, Rodomoussi, Rogdites, Rogditis, Roidites, Roiditis, Roïdo, Roigditis, Sourviotes, Sourviotis and Thilikos Rhoditis. According to DNA analyses carried out in 2001, it is not related to the varieties Roditis Lefkos or Tourkopoula (with synonym Roditis Kokkinos). According to a hypothesis that can no longer be verified and is rather unlikely, it or an ancestor was allegedly mentioned as early as the 1st century by Philip of Thessaloniki in his work "Greek Anthology" under the name Rodea Stafyli.
There are several varieties (clones) of this very old variety, which differ somewhat in berry colour from orange to dark red, in size and in yield. The most common variety is the one with reddish berries. The late-maturing, high-yielding variety is particularly susceptible to powdery mildew and viruses, but resistant to drought. With low yields or appropriate ageing, it produces acidic white wines with aromas of citrus fruits, melons, apples and almonds. Simpler wines, on the other hand, are often used for retsina blended with the Savatiano variety. The variety is widespread on the mainland and in Peloponnese. In 2016, two Roditis varieties were recorded by Kym Anderson. For the one named Roditis R (red berries), there were 828 hectares. This could be the variety or cultivar Roditis Kokkinos, which is listed as an independent variety in the VIVC catalogue. For the variety designated as Roditis (reddish berries), there were 8,463 hectares of vines. The Roditis variety is thus ranked 84th in the world grape variety ranking.
Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Grape: GREECE IS
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