Nemea Wine Region Guide

Nemea wine region is well-known for producing some of the most prestigious wines in the world, it is a renowned sub-region of Peloponnese with a menu showcasing an array of immaculate wines. We're inviting you to enjoy these impressive beverages as you travel through this wonderful wine region. Nemea wine is often celebrated for the great attention to detail and small touches they put in each wine which can't be found anywhere else. For centuries, the Nemeá mountains and valleys have been producing wine from their native Agiorgitiko grape.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Nemea Wine Region

Where is the Nemea Wine Region

Nemea is in Greece, in the northeast corner of the Peloponnese peninsula. The neighbouring wine appellations are Mantinia, Arcadia and Corinthia. Argos – a vibrant wine city, is also near.

History of Nemea Wine

Historians can safely say that wine-growing in Neméa dates back to at least the 5th Century BC. The Heracles myth says he was sent to slay the Nemeian lion and on his travels, he discovered this northeast Greek region where he first made wine. The Fliasion wines made in Neméa were, even in antiquity, particularly famed for their quality. The term "blood of Heracles" has been used as a nickname to identify the red wine of Neméa up until the present day.

Terrior of Nemea

Neméa's terroir is divided into 3 parts: the flat land surrounding the village, the hilly areas to the west of the village and more mountainous regions in north-eastern Neméa. These terroirs vary in altitude from 250-800 metres (250-800m) above sea level. This allows the wine of Neméa to take on different flavours and aromas.

It is generally agreed that Neméa wines are best when they come from vineyards near the top of the mountain, where soil types/wetness and temperature is thin and gravelly. Here, lower temperatures help produce high-quality grapes.Agiorgitiko is a late-ripening variety that benefits from the slower production of sugars when the grapes are exposed to less heat. This helps balance out their acidity levels and gives you much better wines. Vineyards do well in Neméa's soil because of it being red and free-draining, which reduces vigor & yields, leading to highly concentrated grapes.

Wines produced in the lower-lying alluvial areas surrounding the village of Neméa have previously been known to be affected by warmer temperatures during their growing season. This often led to an increase in acidity in the grapes. These berries can be made into a sweeter style of wine that adheres to the appellation laws, and some light versions of Agiorgitiko wines are created by implementing the process of carbonic maceration.

Nemea Wine Characteristics 

Nemea is home to the Agiorgitiko grape variety. Agiorgitiko is the principle grape variety and produces wines that are capable of aging well. It can be used in different combinations with other grape varieties and is able to produce very different qualities of wine depending on the particular region it's grown in. Depending on the soil and elevation, different grapes grow in different regions and have a character of their own. It tend to be tannic, spicy and lower in acidity with some varieties being fruit-forward.

Food to pair with Nemea Wine

1. Gyros

Gyros is one of the most popular Greek street food dishes, consisting of meat such as pork and chicken (in Greece) or lamb and veal (popular in other countries). The dish is cooked on a vertical spit. Halal meat is usually made into thin slices and served in a pita bread with sauces such as tzatziki. they can also be accompanied by vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, lettuce and cucumbers. This dish pairs well with wines from the Nemea Valley.

2. Moussaka

Moussaka is one of the best known Greek dishes – a baked casserole consisting of ground beef and layers of sliced eggplant, covered with a thick layer of bechamel sauce that gets golden and crusty as it bakes. Depending on the dish, you might use lamb instead of beef and zucchini or potatoes instead of eggplants

It's possible that the dish we call "moussaka" has Middle Eastern roots. The eggplant was brought over by Arabs to Greece, where they traded it for the aubergine which they already knew and loved. The word muasaka came from masakha, an Arabic word meaning "to chill" or "to refrigerate".

It pairs good with Nemea wines.

3. Spanakopita

Spanakopita is a delicious Greek dish consisting of flaky, buttery pastries with a spinach and feta cheese filling. It can be served as an appetizer or as the main course. Spanakopita is often thought of as a simple traditional Greek food, but it has become much more sophisticated and is now found in most restaurants, taverns, and upscale establishments. It is likely that the dish originated 400 years ago, during the Turkish occupation of Greece, since a Turkish dish called ispanaki is almost identical in presentation. Traditionally, pie is cut into small triangles and eaten while it's still warm. Spanakopita goes well with Nemea wines.

Places to visit near Nemea

1. Hiking Nafplion - Karathona Beach - Ag.Nikolaos

This is a great way to explore Nafplion, in the heart of Syntagma Square, under the Venetian fortresses of Akronafplia and Palamidi. You'll walk through the famous cobblestone streets and always be near to the sea. Hiking along the northeastern side of Crete is an invigorating and rewarding experience. The views take in the Argolic Gulf enroute to Arvanitia beach—a rugged area that juts out into the sea on this coast. At this southernmost point, there's a wonderful little chapel build on top of the rocks above Karathona Bay—a great spot. Pretty much anyone who visits this place is going to have a great time and leave with an unforgettable experience.

2. Ancient Corinth and Corinth Canal Private Tour from Athens

Visit the Ancient Corinth and Corinf Canal. Help recreate games from ancient Olympics, like Sisyphus. Although, the city was conquered and then destroyed by Romans, it is believed that only a small part of the ancient city was destroyed, however not for long - as the Romans managed to rebuild their new city in its place. The Ancient ruins of Corinth are a testament to the city’s great prosperity, even from before Christ. Saint Paul also wrote letters from their city, setting off on his extensive travels. It is an interesting place and worth visiting.

Frequently asked questions about Nemea Wine Region