Ionian islands / Ιονια νησια

A group of islands in the Ionian Sea off the west coast of Greece. It was colonised in the 9th century BC by the Ionian tribes (see under Attica), which had been evicted from the mainland, and gave their name to the islands. The islands were ruled by the city state of Venice for a period of more than 4 centuries, from 1386 to 1797, this Italian influence is still evident today. This can be seen, for instance in the Robola variety and the white wine Verdea, which are Italian in origin. The mild climate of the islands provides excellent conditions for viticulture, rainfall is also adequate. Many indigenous grape varieties are grown. Among the Ionian islands with vineyards are Ithaca (where Homer’s legendary Odysseus was king), Cephallonia, Corfu (also known as Kerkyra), Lefkada, Leucas, Cythera, Paxos und Zacynthos. Only Cephallonia has appellations declared as OPE and OPAP. The vineyard area totals aorund 8.700 hectares. Also see under Aegean (on the east coast of Greece).