Elevation also impacts temperature. Vineyards high on mountain slopes enjoy cooler temperatures than fruit on a valley floor. Other influencing factors include the amount of rainfall, humidity, and cooling or warming effects of wind patterns and cloud cover that create day-to-night temperature swings called diurnal range.
These wines show textbook"cool climate" expressions, offering balanced acidity that accentuates their clarity and flavor profiles while contributing to their ability to age. White wines often show citrus, mineral, and herbal notes, while red wines display bright red fruits, earthiness, and spice flavors.Domaine Skouras sits in a favored location on the Peloponnese Peninsula in Peloponnese PGI near Nemea PDO.
While growing in a cooler climate appears desirable, it has its drawbacks."Farming in a cooler climate is a problem during colder vintages. Ripening slows down, and sometimes grapes won't reach the desired maturity. This is a rare phenomenon in Greece, but it does happen, typically in northern areas," explains Skouras.Alpha Estate, located in the Macedonia region of Greece, specifically in Macedonia PGI, grows grapes in Amyndeon PDO.
Though nestled high on the Eordea Plateau, Amyndeon enjoys the sheltering effect of three mountains which act as a protective barrier."The mountains help to create a microclimate by blocking the colder winds and influencing temperature moderation," says Iatridis. Unfortunately, even with the protection of nearby ranges, spring frost threatens growers. As winters grow milder and vines may bud earlier, this risk increases.
Kir-Yianni grows grapes both in Amyndeon PDO and Imathia PGI. While it may not experience extreme cold like Amyndeon, Imathia still sees cooler temperatures than the average across Greek growing regions.