Trade 15 October 2026

Greek wine exports reach record €340 million in 2026

Five consecutive years of growth have pushed Greek wine exports to a new high. Assyrtiko from Santorini is driving premium value; Xinomavro from Naoussa is building a reputation as Greece's answer to Barolo. The international wine trade is catching up with what enthusiasts have known for a decade.

Key figures

Metric Value Context

Export value €340 million (2026 est.) Up 18% from 2025; fifth consecutive record year

Top markets Germany, USA, UK, Canada Germany and USA together account for nearly 40% of volume

Leading varieties Assyrtiko, Xinomavro, Moschofilero Assyrtiko from Santorini drives premium export value

PDO wines share 34% of all exports by value Up from 28% in 2020; premium shift accelerating

Organic certified 11% of vineyard area Higher than EU average; volcanic and island soils favour low-input viticulture

The variety story

The export surge is not volume-driven — Greek wine has never competed on bulk output. It is a value-per-bottle story, led by PDO appellations that trade on the distinctiveness of their indigenous varieties. Assyrtiko from Santorini commands prices at or above comparable Loire whites. Xinomavro from Naoussa — long dismissed internationally as too structured and unfamiliar — is gaining recognition as a serious age-worthy red. Agiorgitiko from Nemea provides the accessible, fruit-forward entry point for new drinkers. See main grape varieties for context on how Greek grapes fit within the global variety landscape.

Market dynamics

Germany remains the largest market by volume, with a well-established Greek diaspora providing the consumer base. The US has grown fastest — up 31% year-on-year — as sommelier networks and independent wine merchants have embraced Assyrtiko as a high-quality alternative to Burgundy whites and premier cru Chablis at lower price points. UK growth has been driven partly by post-Brexit duty structures favouring non-EU wines and partly by growing on-trade interest. Canada's liquor board listings for premium Greek PDO wines have expanded significantly. Compare this growth trajectory to German Riesling's 2026 export record — both represent a resurgence of interest in wines with strong regional identity and indigenous variety character.

Sources: Wines of Greece (EDOAO) (export statistics 2026); WSET (Greek wine curricula); Decanter (Greek wine market reporting). Last updated: 2026-10-21. Corrections via the contact form.

Questions

About Greek wine.

What makes Greek wine distinctive?

Greece's greatest asset in wine is its extraordinary diversity of native grape varieties — estimated at over 300 indigenous varieties, many found nowhere else in the world. These grapes evolved over millennia in conditions that naturally suit low yields, high acidity and aromatic intensity: volcanic soils (Santorini), high-altitude continental climates (Naoussa, Amyndeon), and the Mediterranean islands. The flagship varieties include Assyrtiko (Santorini), a white grape of exceptional mineral focus and age-worthiness; Xinomavro (Naoussa, Amyndeon), a tannic, aromatic red sometimes compared to Nebbiolo; Agiorgitiko (Nemea), producing rich, fruit-forward reds; and Moschofilero, a fragrant pink-skinned white grape. See wine regions by country for where Greece fits in the broader European picture.

What is Assyrtiko and why is it significant?

Assyrtiko is a white grape variety indigenous to Santorini, an Aegean volcanic island with very thin, mineral-rich soils formed from solidified lava. The island's vines are not grafted onto rootstock — the volcanic soil is inhospitable to phylloxera — making Santorini one of the few places in the world with pre-phylloxera vines growing on their own roots. Assyrtiko produces wines of exceptional acidity, lean mineral character (often described as saline, smoky, or volcanic), and remarkable ageing potential. Santorini Assyrtiko is increasingly compared to Chablis or Muscadet Sèvre et Maine sur lie in its terroir-expressiveness. The grape is also grown widely across mainland Greece, where it shows richer fruit character but lower mineral intensity. It is the principal driver of Greece's premium export reputation.

What is Xinomavro and how does it compare to other varieties?

Xinomavro (literally "acid black" in Greek) is the leading red grape of northern Greece, grown primarily in Naoussa, Amyndeon and Goumenissa in Macedonia. It produces wines of deep colour, very high tannin and acidity, and an unusual aromatic profile combining red fruit (tomato, pomegranate, dried cherry) with floral notes and olive-like savouriness. Its structure — high acid, firm tannin, leaning savoury — frequently draws comparisons to Nebbiolo (Barolo), and both varieties require significant bottle age to show at their best. Naoussa OPAP is Greece's most prestigious Xinomavro appellation. The grape also makes a distinctive rosé in Amyndeon, grown at 600–700 metres altitude, with refreshing acidity and delicate red fruit.

Is Greek wine good value?

Greek wine, as a category, remains significantly underpriced relative to its quality, particularly for premium PDO wines from Santorini (Assyrtiko), Naoussa (Xinomavro), and Nemea (Agiorgitiko). Part of this reflects the relatively recent international recognition of Greek wine — exports grew rapidly from the late 2000s but from a low base. Compared to equivalently structured wines from Burgundy (for Assyrtiko's mineral freshness) or Piedmont (for Xinomavro's tannic structure), Greek wines at the same quality level typically sell at a significant discount. Consumer awareness is the main limiting factor: many buyers remain unfamiliar with the variety names and regions. The 2026 export surge suggests this is changing, particularly in the US and German markets.