P.D.O. Paros (O.P.A.P.) / Πάρος

The almost 200 km² large Greek island in the Aegean Sea west of Naxos belongs to the Cyclades. There was already a flourishing winegrowing industry here in antiquity. The Roman author Lucius J. M. Columella (1st century BC) mentions in his famous work "De re rustica" an important wine export to Rome, which took place via the transhipment point or port of Monemvasia on the Peloponnese peninsula. On Paros there has never been an infestation by phylloxera. The vines are raised (as on the neighbouring island of Santorini) in a traditional system known as kouloura, in the form of wreaths resembling bird's nests to protect the grapes growing inside from the strong, sandy winds.

There is an origin-protected POP wine in red and white. The red wine is blended from the red variety Mandilaria (66%) and the white variety Monemvasia (33%). It is the only POP red wine in Greece where a white wine variety may be used. The white wine is produced purely from Monemvasia. Two well-known producers are Moraïtis and the Paros winegrowers' cooperative. There is also viticulture on the neighbouring island of Antiparos.

Greece map: By Pitichinaccio - own work, CC BY 3.0, Link
edited by Norbert F. J. Tischelmayer 2/2018