The bottles that define Naoussa: what they are, who makes them and what they cost.
The iconic bottles that define Naoussa: what they are, who makes them and what they cost.
Kir-Yianni's flagship single-vineyard Naoussa PDO, aged 16-18 months in French oak from a lighter-soil block chosen for finesse over power.
Tasting notes: Kir-Yianni's single-vineyard Naoussa PDO Xinomavro, built on lighter estate soils for a finer-boned, more fragrant style than the estate's blended cuvees.
A Xinomavro-Syrah blend from a single estate block, riper and more concentrated than Kir-Yianni's Naoussa PDO wines, bottled under PGI Imathia.
Tasting notes: Kir-Yianni's warmest, most concentrated red, a Xinomavro-Syrah blend from a single south-east-facing estate block that pushes past what Naoussa PDO rules allow for a pure Xinomavro.
Thymiopoulos's two-site Naoussa PDO blend from organic 45-year-old Xinomavro vines spanning 150 to 650 metres of altitude.
Tasting notes: A two-site blend of Trilofos and Fytia Xinomavro from 45-year-old certified organic vines, named Ghi ke Ouranos (Earth and Sky) for the altitude spread between the parcels.
A fuller-bodied Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from Thymiopoulos, named for a dark rock outcrop on the estate.
Tasting notes: A fuller, higher-alcohol Naoussa PDO bottling from Thymiopoulos, named for a dark rocky outcrop (Vrana Petra) within the estate's holdings.
Boutari's long-aged Naoussa PDO reserve, four years of combined barrel and bottle age, Decanter-recognised.
Tasting notes: Boutari's long-aged reserve tier, four years of combined barrel and bottle age before release, with the deep brick-edged colour and dried-spice character that extended ageing brings to Xinomavro.
Dalamaras's site-named Naoussa PDO from the family's organic Paliokalias vineyard, farmed since the 1840s.
Tasting notes: Dalamaras's site-named flagship from the family's organically farmed Paliokalias vineyard, a savoury, earth-and-leather register typical of the appellation's older vines.
Dalamaras's old-vines Naoussa PDO, floral and savoury with the appellation's signature tomato-leaf note.
Tasting notes: An old-vines Naoussa PDO bottling from Dalamaras, floral and savoury with the tomato-leaf character Xinomavro is known for.
VAENI's top-tier Naoussa PDO reserve, four years of combined barrel and bottle age from selected grower parcels.
Tasting notes: VAENI's top reserve tier, four years of combined barrel and bottle ageing before release, recommended to breathe for an hour before serving.
Argatia's Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from its 540-metre hillside vineyard at Rodochori.
Tasting notes: Argatia's Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from its hillside vineyard at Rodochori, 540 metres up on the Vermio slopes.
Ktima Melitzani's Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from its century-old, organically farmed Gastra hill vineyard.
Tasting notes: Ktima Melitzani's single-varietal Naoussa PDO from its century-old Gastra hill vineyard, one of the appellation's named prime sites.
Ktima Melitzani's long-cellared Naoussa PDO reserve lot, a limited release with dried-floral, spiced complexity.
Tasting notes: Ktima Melitzani's long-aged reserve, released from the Kava 2000 lot with only around 3,000 bottles remaining, showing the dried-floral, spiced register mature Naoussa PDO develops.
Ktima Chrisohoou's riper, higher-tier Naoussa PDO selection from the estate's Strantza vineyard.
Tasting notes: Ktima Chrisohoou's higher-tier Naoussa PDO, a riper, more concentrated selection than the estate's base bottling.
Kokkinos Winery's site-designated Paliokalias Naoussa PDO Xinomavro.
Tasting notes: Kokkinos Winery's site-named Naoussa PDO from the Paliokalias vineyard area, a step up from the estate's entry bottling.
Domaine Foundi's Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from the family's Nea Strantza estate.
Tasting notes: Domaine Foundi's Naoussa PDO red from the family's Nea Strantza vineyard, a fruit-forward, moderately oaked style.
Diamantakos's Naoussa PDO Xinomavro from the small family estate in Mantemi.
Tasting notes: Diamantakos's Naoussa PDO from the small family estate in Mantemi, savoury and tomato-leafed with fine-grained tannin.
Kir-Yianni's international-variety flagship red, a six-grape Bordeaux and Rhone blend aged mostly in new French oak.
Tasting notes: Kir-Yianni's international-variety flagship, a six-way Bordeaux-and-Rhone blend with no Xinomavro at all, built for power and long oak ageing.
Peak wine-travel season in Naoussa is spring through autumn, with harvest the standout window.
classified-growth and grand-cru estates require booking days to weeks ahead; smaller family domaines often take walk-ins midweek.
most estates open 10:00 to 17:00 by appointment, often closed Sunday and Monday.
tipping is not expected at tastings; buying a bottle from the cellar door is the customary thank-you.
If you only open one bottle, open Ramnista by Ktima Kir-Yianni. It is the wine most associated with Naoussa.