Macedonia / Μακεδονια

Description of origin for Greek country wines (Topikos Oinos) grown on the „Agion Oros“ (holy mountain) on the Athos peninsula in Northern Greece (the eastern finger of the Chalkidike peninsula, Macedonia region). The name Agioritikos means „coming from the holy mountain“, and should under no circumstances be confused with the similar-sounding name of the grape variety Agiorgitiko. The white wine is made from Athiri, Assyrtiko and Roditis, the rosé is made from Limnio, Xynomavro and Roditis, while the red wine is a blend of Limnio and Xynomavro. Some of the wines are matured in barriques. The wines are produced, among others, by the well-known Tsantali winery, which has exclusively leased vineyars from the St. Panteleimon abbey in the abbey’s own domaine, „Metochi Chromitsa“, these are marketed in squat, wide bottles similar to the German Bocksbeutel ort he Mateus rosé bottle. Tsantali also produces other country wines from this mountain site that are bottled in regular-shaped bottles. Agioritikos wines are also produced by other producers, such as the monks of the Monoxilitis abbey (a number of abbies is located on the holy mountain), these are bottled and marketed by the Protopapas winery.