Greek Wine Producers Launch Project to Match Bordeaux Quality

A Greek wine producer, Kyros Melas, began converting family farmland in Achinos, a coastal region in the south-east of the Greek mainland, into Cabernet Franc and Merlot vineyards. Melas was inspired by his interest in Bordeaux wines, particularly Pomerol, and sought to establish what he called a 'First Growth of Greece'. The project involved finding a terroir reminiscent of Bordeaux and utilizing a maritime climate similar to the Gironde.

The project represents a direct effort by Greek wine producers to compete with the established quality standards of Bordeaux in the international wine market. This initiative challenges the market prestige of the Right Bank region.