Ηλεία (Ilia)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Soils of sedimentary origin: sandy, sandy-clay, or αμμοχαλικώδες, with neutral to slightly acidic pH.
• A dual climatic profile: maritime μεσογειακό κλίμα on the plains, and a mountain climate with large diurnal temperature ranges above 400 m elevation.
• Annual rainfall of 600–900 mm, concentrated in the period from October to May.
• Soil fertility decreases with altitude: moderate on the plains, lower in the upland sections.

• Viticulture in Ηλεία dates from antiquity, with references to «αμπελόεσσα Ηλεία» and supporting archaeological finds.
• After liberation, a wide range of varieties spread throughout the region—without any single dominant one—owing to the concurrent cultivation of both raisin and wine grapes.

• The distinctiveness of the ΠΓΕ Ηλεία wines is attributed to the combination of soil, climate, and the influence of summer winds, together with the varieties under cultivation.

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 PGI-GR-A0140
• Official trade body site — Wines of Greece (EDOAO)