Ίλιον (Ilion)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• The soils of the area are of moderate fertility, medium-textured sandy clay loam, and very rich in calcium.
• The soils are slightly alkaline and marly, free from salinity problems, adequately supplied with assimilable potassium, and characterised by high magnesium levels.
• The climate is mild Mediterranean, with abundant sunshine averaging 2,400 hours per year and a long favourable growing season of 275 days.
• During summer, mainly north-easterly winds (Meltemi) prevail, reducing the impact of summer temperatures, as the area borders Mount Parnitha.
• This is a small, flat viticultural zone with gentle slopes, surrounded by the urban fabric, at an elevation of between 90 and 110 metres.

• Queen Amalia established the Eptalohos-Pyrgos Vassilissis estate, with an initial area of approximately 2,000 stremmata, between 1848 and 1861.
• Some 180 stremmata of systematic vineyards were planted on the estate with new vine varieties, and model cultivation was undertaken with an emphasis on viticulture.
• At the first OLYMPIA agricultural exhibition, held in 1859 at the Zappeion, the estate's products — and its wines in particular — were awarded major prizes.
• The model cultivation of the vineyards was continued by the subsequent owners of the Pachy-Serpieri family, so that the wines became known as Pyrgos Vassilissis and Tour la Reine on both the Greek and international markets.

• The uniqueness of the PGI Ilion wines stems from the distinctive characteristics of the area — including the soil, the climate, and the influence of the winds during summer — in combination with the grape varieties and the viticultural practices employed.

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-A0204
• Official trade body site — Wines of Greece (EDOAO)