Greek Wine Regions: The Greek Islands

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This section divides the Greek islands into two groups, the Ionian and the Aegean, the former being those west of the Peloponnesos, the latter being those to the east. Partly to ease site navigation, the decision was made to lump Crete and all of the Aegean islands together in one group. This also reflects the existence of viticultural ties which, with some exceptions, also warrant the treatment of these islands as a combined historical entity.

Many of the Greek islands were notable wine producers in ancient times. The wines of three islands, Hios, Thassos and Lesvos, that have failed to make the first list of Aegean islands on these pages were highly regarded in their own right before the Peloponesian wars that marked the end of Magna Graecia. Samos, which was at the bottom of every ancient's list of wine regions, rose to become among the most highly regarded Greek regions in Europe by the end of the twentieth century. The islands are replete with stories of changing fortunes. Today some of Greece's best wines are produced on her islands, many of which still reveal contuua with their ancient predecessors.

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