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Samos

Samos is considered the pearl of North Aegean islands with a fascinating history. It is the birthplace of the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, after whom the Pythagorean theorem is named, and of the astronomer Aristarchus, the first to propose that the Earth revolves around the sun.

In ancient times, Samos was well known for its wine production. By the end of the 16th century, the small-grained white Muscat grape had arrived on the island from Asia Minor. It was found that the best method for cultivating this variety was on Samos’s northern mountain slopes at around 500-900m in terraced vineyards.

When Phylloxera infested the vineyards of Europe in the late 19th century, sweet wines from Samos, known as “Muscat of Samos”, recorded massive increases in exports. Vineyards expanded, grape prices rose, and Samos wine began to build its modern reputation as one of Greece’s most famous wine.

The designation “PDO Samos” (est.1970) became synonymous with the small-grained white Muscat grape and it is only used to indicate sweet wines. Nevertheless, exceptionally dry wines are also produced from this variety.

Until 2013, due to old legislation, all grape growers on the island were obliged to hand over their harvest to the local cooperative which was founded in 1934. After a long battle that lasted 15 years the monopoly was broken and all Samians were allowed to produce wine.

The Samos Muscat grape growing area is among the most beautiful in Greece. Vines are trained in goblets on steep terraces and breathtaking slopes. Most of the soils are gravel formed from schist and limestone with moderate fertility and good drainage.

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