Aegean islands / Αιγαια νησια

The Aegean, the northern sub-section of the Mediterranean Sea, located between the east coast of Greece and Turkey is named after the Greek mythological figure Äegeus, the king of Athens and father of the mythological hero Theseus. The area is marked by myriads of islands or groups of islands such as, for example, the Dodecanes, Sporades and Cyclades. Most of these islands were colonised by the Greeks around 1000 B.C. Wine production has a long tradition on many of these islands. In ancient times, the best Greek wines were produced in this region, and exported as far afield as Rome (see also under wines of antiquity). The pet Homer died on Chios in the 8th century B.C., in ancient times the island was known as the „Bordeaux of Greek wines“. Islands in the Aegean include Crete, Lesbos, Limnos, Mykonos, Paros, Rhodos, Samos and Santorin. Most of these have quality wine appellations classified as OPAP or OPE. The total vineyard area is around 9.000 hectares. See also under Ionian islands (on the west coast of Greece).