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🍇 Xinomavro

Also known as: Xynomavro
Pronunciation: ksee-NO-mah-vroh /ksiˈnomavro/
Red Origin: Naoussa (Macedonia), Greece

About Xinomavro

Xinomavro ("acid black") is Greece's noblest red grape, often compared to Nebbiolo for its high acidity, firm tannins, and aromatic complexity. It produces powerful, age-worthy wines from the cool-climate hills of Naoussa.

Young Xinomavro can be forbiddingly tannic, but with age it develops tar, roses, tomato, and olive notes that make it unmistakable. Top Naoussa wines can age for decades.

Wine Colour & Appearance

Typical colour: Medium ruby with orange rim

Medium depth, develops early orange

Colour Variations by Region

Naoussa: Medium ruby-garnet
Intensity Medium
Clarity Clear
Viscosity Medium

Wine Characteristics

Body
Full
Tannin
High
Acidity
Very High
Sweetness
Dry
Alcohol
13–14.5%

Xinomavro wines typically range from 13% to 14.5% ABV. Variations can occur based on vintage and winemaking style.

Aroma & Flavour Profile Le Nez du Vin Reference →

Aromas (Nose) [Le Nez aroma]

  • Tomato
  • Olive
  • Dried herbs
  • Rose [M28 rose]
  • Tar
  • Spice

Flavours (Palate)

  • Sour cherry
  • Tomato
  • Herbs
  • Firm tannins
  • Long finish

The Nose

Xinomavro wines present a compelling aromatic profile, initially offering bright red fruit like cherry and plum, interwoven with savory notes of tomato leaf and black olive. As the wine ages, secondary aromas of fresh tobacco and spice—think clove and peppercorn—emerge, leading to tertiary hints of leather and earthiness that contribute to its complex character. This combination creates a uniquely Mediterranean scent profile, both fruity and profoundly savory.

The Palate

Xinomavro wines present a dry, medium-full bodied experience characterized by high acidity and prominent tannins, reminiscent of Nebbiolo. The palate is layered with bright red and dark fruit—cherry, plum, and raspberry—evolving into savory notes of tomato, olive, and earthy spice, finishing with a long, peppery aftertaste. These wines are built to age, showcasing a complex interplay between fruit, earth, and structure.

Viticulture

Climate:
Continental Mediterranean. Hot, dry summers and cold winters with significant diurnal temperature variation. Requires a long growing season to fully ripen.
Soil:
Well-drained soils are crucial. Typically found on stony, clay-limestone, and schist soils. Poor, infertile soils are often preferred as they stress the vines, leading to concentrated flavors. Good drainage prevents rot, especially important given the autumn rains.
Training Systems:
Bilateral Cordon (most common), Guyot, Head-trained vines (older vineyards)
Yield:
Relatively low yields are common, often around 30-50 hl/ha (hectoliters per hectare), though can vary depending on vineyard age and management. Lower yields are sought for quality production.
Harvest:
Late harvest, typically in October or November. Requires careful monitoring of sugar levels, acidity, and tannin development. Often harvested in stages to ensure optimal ripeness.
Disease Susceptibility:
Susceptible to powdery mildew and downy mildew, requiring careful vineyard management. Botrytis bunch rot can be a risk in humid conditions, especially during harvest.
Pruning:
Short pruning is typical, aiming to control vigor and yield. This helps concentrate flavors and maintain acidity.
Veraison:
Late veraison (color change), often occurring in late summer/early autumn.
Amyndeon:
Higher altitude vineyards (600-800 meters) benefit from cooler temperatures and greater diurnal range.
Bud Break:
Late bud break, making it less susceptible to spring frosts than some other varieties.
Kozani:
Continental climate with colder winters; vineyards often planted on well-drained slopes.
Naoussa:
Vineyards are typically planted on clay-limestone soils at altitudes of 200-300 meters.
Special Considerations:
Xinomavro is a challenging variety to grow, requiring significant viticultural expertise., Vine age is a significant factor in wine quality; older vines generally produce more concentrated and complex wines., Canopy management is crucial to balance sun exposure and shade, promoting optimal ripening and preventing sunburn., Water stress can be beneficial in controlled amounts, but severe drought can negatively impact yields.
Vine Density:
Planting density varies, but can be relatively high, up to 4,000-6,000 vines/hectare in some modern vineyards.

Grape Morphology

Skin Thickness
Thin
Berry Size
Small
Bunch Tightness
Tight
Botrytis Susceptibility
Medium

Winemaking Notes

Oak Affinity
Medium
Oxidation Tendency
Moderate
MLC Typical
Yes
Ageing Potential
10-20 years

Blending Partners

Negoska — Traditional partner

softer and fruitier style

Common in: Goumenissa

Notable Regions

Naoussa, Greece Considered the heartland of Xinomavro, Naoussa in Macedonia produces wines known for their intense aromas of red and black fruit, spice, and often a characteristic 'tomato leaf' note. The volcanic soils and continental climate contribute to the grape's concentration and acidity.
Amyndeon, Greece Located in Western Macedonia, Amyndeon is a cooler region gaining prominence for Xinomavro. Wines from here tend to be more elegant and floral, with bright acidity and a lighter body compared to Naoussa.
Kozani, Greece Kozani, also in Western Macedonia, is another important Xinomavro growing area. The wines here are often rustic and powerful, with earthy notes and good aging potential. Historically known for bulk wine production, quality is now improving.
Veria, Greece Veria, near Naoussa, also produces Xinomavro, often blended with other local varieties. The wines can exhibit similar characteristics to Naoussa, though often with a slightly softer profile.
Rapsani, Greece Rapsani, in Thessaly, is known for its unique Xinomavro blends, often co-fermented with other indigenous grapes like Mavrodaphne and Krasitiano. These wines are typically full-bodied, complex, and age-worthy.

Region Map

Old World vs New World

Understanding regional style differences helps identify origin in blind tasting.

🏰 Old World (Europe)

Northern Greece only

🌎 New World (Americas, Australasia)

Rarely planted in the New World.

Key Tells for Blind Tasting

Tomato + olive + high acid + needs age

Similar Grapes & Lateral Confusion

These grapes are commonly confused with Xinomavro in blind tasting. Here's how to tell them apart:

Nebbiolo

Why confused: similar_structure

How to distinguish: Nebbiolo has tar/roses, paler; Xinomavro has tomato/olive

Blind Tasting Tips

Key identifiers: Pale for the power, tomato/olive notes, very high acidity, firm tannins.

Vintage History

Notable vintages for Xinomavro:

Food Pairings

🌱 Plant-Based & Vegetarian
Tomato-based dishesve Aged cheeses
🍖 Classic Pairings
Lamb Game Hearty stews

Parentage & Genetics

Parents: Gouais × Unknown

Clones

1255

Late-season maturity (5 weeks after Chasselas), the only certified Xinomavro clone.

01

Originated from a vineyard in Domokos, qualified for Classic Foundation Vineyard.

Bibliography

Books and articles about Xinomavro:

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Page created: 28 January 2026 | Last updated: 30 January 2026

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Wine Colour

This section shows the typical appearance of wines made from this grape:

  • Colour swatches — Visual examples from young to aged expressions
  • Intensity — How deep or pale the colour typically appears
  • Clarity — Whether wines are typically clear, hazy, or have sediment
  • Viscosity — The "legs" or "tears" you see on the glass

Characteristics

Key structural elements that define the wine:

  • Acidity — How tart or fresh the wine tastes (low to high)
  • Body — The weight and texture in your mouth (light to full)
  • Alcohol — Typical alcohol range, sometimes with regional variations
  • Sweetness — Dry, off-dry, or sweet (where applicable)

Tannins (Red Wines)

For red wines, this section describes the tannin profile:

  • Level — Low, medium, or high tannin content
  • Texture — Velvety, silky, grippy, chalky, or sandy
  • Location — Where you feel them (front teeth, gums, cheeks, back of mouth)
  • Ageing potential — How tannins evolve over time

Aroma and Flavour Profile

Aromas (nose) and flavours (palate) are listed separately:

  • The Nose — What you smell before tasting
  • The Palate — What you taste and feel in your mouth
  • Le Nez numbers — References like [M15] correspond to Le Nez du Vin aroma kit bottles (M = Masterkit, O = Oak, F = Faults)
Tip: Le Nez Reference Click the "Le Nez du Vin Reference" link in the Aroma section header to see the full aroma reference chart.

Viticulture

Growing conditions this grape prefers:

  • Climate — Cool, moderate, or warm climate preferences
  • Soil — Preferred soil types (limestone, clay, gravel, etc.)
  • Vigour — How vigorously the vine grows
  • Challenges — Common growing difficulties (frost, rot, disease)

Notable Regions

Key wine regions where this grape excels:

  • Map thumbnails — Small preview maps for each region (where available)
  • Click to expand — Opens a larger interactive map
  • Wine region boundaries — Highlighted in wine-red where data is available
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Old World vs New World

Compares how the grape is expressed in different regions:

  • Old World — Traditional European expressions (France, Italy, Spain, etc.)
  • New World — Modern expressions (Australia, USA, Chile, etc.)
  • Differences in style, ripeness, oak use, and flavour profiles

Similar Grapes

Grapes that are often confused with this variety in blind tasting:

  • Why confused — What characteristics they share
  • How to distinguish — Key differences to look for

Blind Tasting Tips

Practical guidance for identifying this grape when tasting blind:

  • Key markers to look for
  • Common pitfalls and look-alikes
  • Diagnostic characteristics that set it apart

Food Pairings

Suggested foods that complement wines from this grape:

  • Vegan/Vegetarian — Plant-based options listed first, marked (ve) for vegan
  • Classic pairings — Traditional meat and seafood matches
Full guide →