Xinomavro

Xinomavro (Greek: Ξινόμαυρο [ksiˈno̞mavro̞], lit. 'sour black') is the principal red wine grape of the uplands of Naousa in the regional unit of Imathia, and around Amyntaio, in Macedonia, Greece.^[1][2] This grape is primarily cultivated in Naousa, Goumenissa, Amyntaio, Rapsani, Trikomo, Siatista, Velventos, and, on a lesser scale, on Mount Athos, at Ossa, Ioannina, Magnesia, Kastoria and Trikala. In 2010, the total global cultivated area was 1,971 hectares (4,870 acres)^[3] and was entirely in Greece, but by 2013 this had grown to 2,239 hectares (5,530 acres) worldwide, with some initial plantings in Gansu, China.^[4]

Xinomavro
Grape (Vitis)
Color of berry skin	Black
Species	Vitis vinifera
Also called	Xynomavro, Mavro Naoussis, Popolka
Origin	Greece
Notable regions	Naousa, Goumenissa, Amyntaio
VIVC number	13284
Wine characteristics
General	High tannins, medium-high acidity

Vineyard in Naoussa, that produces the xinomavro grape.

Wine regions

Red wine made from Xinomavro in the Naousa region has become one of Greece's most important and well regarded wines. The Naousa Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) was established in 1971 and mandates the use of 100% Xinomavro grapes. Good examples age well due to the wine's high acidity and tannin content, and can be similar enough to wines made from Nebbiolo grapes that comparisons are often made to Italy's highly regarded Barolo.^[5] In Goumenissa the grape is often blended with Negoska to produce very fruity wines with high alcohol levels.^[6]

In recent years, artificial aging of red xinomavro wines has been a topic of research for several purposes.^[7]