Xinomavro, black grape variety grown in 2013 on 2,239 ha/5,530 acres all over northern greece as far south as the foothills of Mount Olympus, where Rapsani is produced, but most famous as the grape of Naoussa. Its name means ‘acid black’ and the wines can indeed seem harsh in youth but they age well. One of the few Greek vine varieties which may not reach full ripeness in some years, it is blended with a small proportion of the local Negoska to produce Goumenissa and is also used as a base for sparkling wine on the exceptionally cool, high vineyards of Amyndeo. The wines tend to be relatively soft but to have good acid, attractive bite, and age well. It has also been planted in Gansu in china at a joint venture project by Mihalis Boutaris of Kir-Yianni in Naoussa.
