Agiorgitiko

Agiorgitiko is most likely Greek in origin: VIVC records Greece as its country of origin. Its parentage is unknown: both parent fields in its passport are blank, and no full pedigree is recorded. The passport does flag offspring, but WineWiki's VIVC-derived lineage data links no children or siblings for Agiorgitiko.

• VIVC prime name: Agiorgitiko; VIVC variety number 102; berry skin colour: noir; country of origin: Greece
• Parents: none recorded (parentage unknown)
• Offspring: flagged in the passport; none linked in WineWiki's lineage data

Agiorgitiko is among the oldest of Greece's hundreds of indigenous grapes. Its name literally means the grape of St. George (Agios Georgios), and it originates from the city of Nemea, formerly called Agios Georgios. An ancient legend holds that the rich, dark, soft wines of Nemea taste that way because the vines on which the Agiorgitiko grapes grow were stained by the blood of the lion that Hercules slew. Traditionally, Agiorgitiko was cultivated only in Nemea and its greater area, where the tradition of viticulture spans centuries.

• Indigenous Greek grape, among the oldest of Greece's hundreds of native varieties.
• The name Agiorgitiko means the grape of St. George (Agios Georgios); the grape originates from the city of Nemea, formerly called Agios Georgios.
• Legend holds that the vines were stained by the blood of the lion that Hercules slew.
• Traditionally cultivated only in Nemea and its greater area.

A young Agiorgitiko has a moderately deep purple red colour. Young Agiorgitiko has medium acidity. Young Agiorgitiko has soft tannins, and wines aged longer in oak develop a firm tannic structure with ripe tannins. Young Agiorgitiko has intense aromas of fresh red fruits, and wines aged longer in oak develop concentrated aromas of red fruits, sweet spices and chocolate.

• A young Agiorgitiko has a moderately deep purple red colour.
• Young Agiorgitiko has medium acidity.
• Young Agiorgitiko has soft tannins, and wines aged longer in oak develop a firm tannic structure with ripe tannins.
• Young Agiorgitiko has intense aromas of fresh red fruits, and wines aged longer in oak develop concentrated aromas of red fruits, sweet spices and chocolate.

PDO Nemea is the largest red wine appellation in Greece, and Agiorgitiko is the only grape allowed to use the Nemea appellation. Dry reds, from young wines to reds matured in oak for long bottle ageing, can be labelled PDO Nemea, as can the sweet wines. Agiorgitiko can also make dessert wines from sun-dried grapes. Rosé wines cannot bear the PDO indication. Domaine Skouras created a boutique winery in Gymno and in 2004 relocated it to Malandreni, a village near Argos.

• PDO Nemea: the largest red wine appellation in Greece, with Agiorgitiko the only grape allowed.
• Dry reds and sweet wines can be labelled PDO Nemea; rosé wines cannot bear the PDO indication.
• Domaine Skouras: a boutique winery created in Gymno, relocated in 2004 to Malandreni, a village near Argos.

Agiorgitiko is frequently referred to as "multidynamic", since it can produce a large range of styles, from refreshing rosés and dry reds to concentrated sweet wines. In Nemea the range runs from rich, complex, ageworthy reds for the cellar to light, easy-drinking wines with fresh aromas of red fruits, and the variety of soils and the diversity of the terroir help to create these different styles.

• Light, easy-drinking reds with fresh aromas of red fruits.
• Rich, complex, ageworthy reds for the cellar.
• Rosés and dessert wines from sun-dried grapes alongside the dry reds.

Domaine Skouras was founded in 1986 by George Skouras, and its story began that year with Megas Oenos, a blend of Agiorgitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon. Megas Oenos is classified PGI Peloponnese. GAIA Wines was founded in 1994 by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos and Leon Karatsalos, first in Santorini and then in Koutsi, Nemea, where the estate has its Nemea winery. Beyond Nemea, the top quality potential of Agiorgitiko convinced many producers to plant it in other areas, such as Macedonia, Attika and the rest of the Peloponnese.

• Domaine Skouras: founded 1986 by George Skouras; Megas Oenos (Agiorgitiko plus Cabernet Sauvignon) is classified PGI Peloponnese.
• GAIA Wines: founded 1994 by Yiannis Paraskevopoulos and Leon Karatsalos, with a Nemea winery at Koutsi.
• Wider plantings: Macedonia, Attika and the rest of the Peloponnese.

Primary sources: https://www.vivc.de/index.php?r=passport%2Fview&id=102 ; https://winesofgreece.org/varieties/agiorgitiko/ ; https://winesofgreece.org/articles/nemea-agiorgitiko/ ; https://skouras.gr/en/wines/reds/megas-oenos ; https://skouras.gr/en/history-family ; https://gaiawines.gr/en/ Last verified 2026-10-20