Wines: Drama

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Wines: Drama

Drama is a Greek wine-producing area in the region of East Macedonia and Thrace. There is a strong presence of international grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. There are also plantings of native Greek varieties such as Assyrtico and Robola.

There are no Protected Designation of Origin categories in Drama. Nevertheless the regional appellation (equivalent to French Vin de Pays/IGP) of PGI Drama is considered to be one of Greece's best.

Vineyards are located in the hills and mountains surrounding the city of Drama, 120 kilometers (75 miles) north-east of Thessaloniki. It lies at the base of the mountains that separate Greek Macedonia from Bulgaria.

Much of Drama's viticulture is focused around the town of Adriani, where the region's first winery, Château Lazaridi, was founded in 1992. Since then, there has been significant growth in the region, and there are now around seven wineries located on the land surrounding Drama.

While the modern industry is relatively youthful, winemaking in the region dates back thousands of years. Archaeological research shows this to be an important center for worship of Dionysis. Evidence has also been found of grapevine cultivation stretching back to the Fourth Millennium BC.

The climate here is largely transitional, ranging from a Mediterranean influence on the flatter land in the south to a more-continental climate in the foothills of the mountains. These mountains provide some shelter from harsher weather systems from the north and instead, Drama's vineyards enjoy gentler cooling influences from the Aegean Sea, 30km (20 miles) to the south.