Αρχάνες (Arhanes)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Vineyard altitude 300–450 m, with μεσογειακό κλίμα, mean temperature 16.5°C and rainfall 600 mm/year.
• Strong presence of CaCO3 in the soil with pronounced relief — an ασβεστόλιθος substratum that shapes the character of the vineyard.
• South-easterly vineyard exposure, combined with proximity to forested areas, rivers, and the sea, creates the microclimate.

• Viticulture in Αρχάνες dates back to the Minoan era: a 16th-century BC winepress at Vathypetro, over 3,500 years old.
• The wine is produced by co-vinifying Κοτσιφάλι (high in alcohol, aromatic) and Μανδηλαριά (high acidity, intense purple colour).

• Κοτσιφάλι yields high-alcohol wines with intensely aromatic characters, while Μανδηλαριά contributes high acidity and a deep purple colour.
• The Κοτσιφάλι–Μανδηλαριά blend imparts to ΠΟΠ Αρχάνες wines a distinctive character that makes them more 'robust' compared to ΠΟΠ Πεζά wines.

• The high-alcohol Κοτσιφάλι of Αρχάνες delivers intensely aromatic characters, while Μανδηλαριά contributes high acidity and a purple hue.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — ypaat
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PDO-GR-A1340