Νάουσα (Naoussa)

Greece · PDO · Μακεδονία

Styles

Natural factors

Pronounced and complex relief: elevations of 80–350 m, with a wide variety of aspect, orientation, and slope combinations.
Geological diversity: serpentines, dolerites, limestones of the Pelagonian zone, red schists, travertines, and Plio-Pleistocene conglomerates.
Soils of the Alfisols, Entisols, and Inceptisols orders — medium to heavy in texture, with high water-holding capacity.
Climate temperate Mediterranean with continental tendencies (Köppen classification): rainfall approximately 650 mm, more than 2,000 sunshine hours, and significant water deficit during the growing season.
Thirteen distinct soil sub-zones are recognised, with Huglin Index values ranging from 2,200 to 2,860, reflecting extreme climatic variability within the appellation.

Human factors

The PDO Naoussa was formally established in 1971 by government decree, designating Xinomavro as the sole permitted variety and mandating ageing in oak barrels.
As early as the beginning of the twentieth century, producers had already introduced a seal-label of authenticity and an early quality-based classification of vineyards.

Product characteristics

Gastras wines: deep in colour, full-bodied, with assertive tannins, aromas of red forest fruits, spices, and smoke; built for long ageing.
Ramnista: a complex aromatic profile of smoke, jam, honey, and plum, an elevated richness of anthocyanins, and exceptional ageing potential.

Terroir / wine link

The diversity of soils and climate gives rise to multiple terroir units that shape the expression of Xinomavro.

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