wein.plus
Attention
You are using an old browser that may not function as expected.
For a better, safer browsing experience, please upgrade your browser.

Log in Become a Member

Samos

Samos (N)
Ilha de Samos (PO)
Samos (ES)
Samos (F)
Samos Island (GB)
Samo (I)

The Greek island of around 470 km² in the eastern Aegean Sea is located off the Ionian coast of Asia Minor (Anatolia, Turkey). According to legend, the Argonaut and first king of Samos, Ankaios, brought the vine to the island in 1,000 BC. Three famous men were born here. The first was the mathematician Pythagoras (580 to 496 BC), to whom the mathematical theorem named after him is attributed. The mathematician Aristarchus (~310-250 BC) was convinced of the heliocentric system with the sun at its centre. And the third was the philosopher Epicurus (341-270), whose doctrine of the needless, wise, withdrawn enjoyment of life (Epicureanism) was later defamed as hedonism.

Samos

In the second half of the 15th century, a considerable part of the population moved to the nearby island of Chios for protection from the Ottomans. Samos became more or less deserted and most of the vineyards were destroyed. A hundred years later, the Ottoman rulers offered support to the Samosians, who were prepared to return to their homeland. The vineyards were replanted again, this time with a greater proportion of white varieties. Towards the end of the 19th century, wine from Samos was exported to Europe, but it was mainly red wines from autochthonous varieties. Then, in 1892, phylloxera reached the island and destroyed almost all the vineyards on Samos.

Vineyards, soils and climate

The island was rebuilt mainly with the white variety Moschato Aspro (Muscat Blanc). Finally, in 1934, a wine law defined that only white wines made from 100% Moschato Aspro may use the Samos origin. Today, this variety covers 95% of the area. The remaining 5% is made up of the two red varieties Ritino (Mavroudi Arachovis) and Fokiano, from which rosé cuvées are made. The vineyards cover around 1,800 hectares of vines. The vineyards are mostly located on steep terrain on barren, calcareous subsoil and are often planted in terraces with only two rows. The best locations are at altitudes between 600 and 800 metres above sea level, where the vines are well ventilated by the frequent Meltemi wind (the prevailing wind in the Aegean during the summer months) and the uphill rains also provide sufficient humidification. For example, on the slopes of Ambelos, which is named after the mythological satyr Ampelos, from whose body the first vine is said to have sprouted. There are other significant areas on the north-eastern slopes of Kerkis (1443 metres), the western mountain on Samos. The regulations on limiting yields are still relatively loose; however, quality-conscious co-operatives and winegrowers limit the yields per hectare to less than 50 hl/ha.

Landkarte Griechenland - Ägäische Inseln mit Samos

POP/OPE and PGE wines

There are three different quality wine appellations on Samos (POP or alternatively traditional OPE). All are made from 100% pure Moschato Aspro grapes. However, there are considerable differences between the individual quality levels in terms of the time of harvest, spriting (alcohol fortification), ageing and maturation.

Samos Vindoux
In this simplest version, the Greek grape marc spirit Tsipouro is added to the grape must before fermentation. The 15% alcohol content by volume is achieved almost exclusively through this addition of alcohol. The residual sugar is around 200 g/litre. The light golden, sweet wine is characterised by an aroma of oranges and spices. The Anthemis version (old name of Samos) matures for at least three years, but usually five years in oak barrels. These wines are sweeter and more full-bodied.

Samos Vin doux naturel
This version is made from grapes from the best vineyards with a low yield of around 35 hl/ha. Only pre-must or grape must obtained with low pressing pressure is used. Fermentation is stopped early by spriting to 15% vol. The residual sugar content is around 150 g/litre. The Samos Vin doux naturel Grand Cru is made from late harvested, overripe grapes from the best vineyards. This version is aged in oak barrels for at least five years, but usually longer. The wines only reach their peak or drinking maturity after five to ten years in the bottle.

Samos Vin naturellement doux
The best, naturally sweet version (i.e. without sprites) is made from sun-dried grapes and labelled as Nectar or Samos Nectar. These wines can carry the sub-designation Liastos, which in Greece (i.e. not exclusively for Samos) refers to an unspritzed straw wine. The grapes come exclusively from the best vineyards; the overripe grapes are selectively harvested and then dried on straw mats for about a week. During slow fermentation, an alcohol content of around 14% by volume and a residual sugar content of around 360 g/l are achieved. The wine matures for at least three years in oak barrels and a further two years in the bottle before being released. It has a golden-brown colour with often light red tones and a delicate, finely nuanced acidity structure.

Other wines and spirits
There are also two country wines classified as PGE on Samos. The white wine Samena, named after the ancient warships on Samos, is made from not quite ripe Moschato Aspro grapes, is vinified dry and reaches 12% alcohol by volume. The Golden Samena variant is also made from fully ripe grapes and is dry with a low residual sweetness. The above-mentioned rosé cuvée is made from the Fokiano and Ritino red wine varieties and is characterised by its almost orange colour. There is also a Retsina made from Muscat grapes.

Producers

By far the largest producer, UWC Samos (United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos) was founded in 1934 following an initiative by winegrowers. UWC Samos is one of the oldest winegrowers' co-operatives in Greece and is one of the 10 largest wineries in the country. The approximately 2,200 members cultivate 1,400 hectares, which is over three quarters of the island's total vineyard area. Around 5 million litres of wine are produced each year, of which around 70% is exported. Other well-known producers are Kourtakis, Nopera Wines, Tsantali and Vakakis Wines.

Map of Greece: By Pitichinaccio - own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
edited by Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer 2/2018

Voices of our members

Andreas Essl

The glossary is a monumental achievement and one of the most important contributions to wine knowledge. Of all the encyclopaedias I use on the subject of wine, it is by far the most important. That was the case ten years ago and it hasn't changed since.

Andreas Essl
Autor, Modena

The world's largest Lexicon of wine terms.

26,367 Keywords · 46,924 Synonyms · 5,323 Translations · 31,701 Pronunciations · 201,867 Cross-references
made with by our author Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer. About the Lexicon

EVENTS NEAR YOU