Ηλεία (Ilia)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soils of the zone are generally of medium mechanical composition, sedimentary in origin, sandy, sandy-clay, or sandy-gravelly, with a neutral to slightly acidic pH and low levels of active calcium.
• In the flat to hilly part of the zone the climate is characterised as maritime Mediterranean, while in the part above 400 metres elevation it gradually transitions to a montane climate with cold winters.
• The montane part of the zone exhibits significantly greater diurnal temperature ranges between maximum and minimum temperatures compared to the flat part.
• Mean annual rainfall in the zone ranges between 600 and 900 mm, with the bulk of precipitation distributed over the period from October to May.
• The topsoil is of medium fertility in the flat parts of the zone, while it presents lower fertility in its montane parts.

• Viticulture in Ilia has developed from antiquity to the present day, with numerous references in ancient texts and archaeological finds linked to the vine and wine production throughout its extent.
• After the liberation of Greece from Ottoman rule, currant cultivation developed considerably alongside viticulture; however, no dominant grape variety prevailed, a circumstance that led to the spread of many varieties.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in Greece

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — ypaat
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-GR-A0140
• Official trade body site — Wines of Greece (EDOAO)