I was fortunate to attend a tasting in April led by Yiannis Karakasis which looked at a sample from the Great Greek Wines competition that he founded. It was exciting to me as a) it’s about Greek wines and b) it’s a new approach to wine competitions which has been a much needed breath of fresh air.
Given c) the 2025 list has been announced, it seemed like a good time to catch up with Karakakis and have him explain a bit more about how this all works, what the objective is, and where he sees it heading in the future. Note that responses have been lightly edited for length and formatting.
So the latest edition of Great Greek Wines has been released. This makes it how many editions at this point as it’s not every year?
The 2025 edition of Great Greek Wines marks the fourth release of the list. The project began in 2020 as “50 Great Greek Wines” and has since evolved — both in name and scope — with editions released in 2020, 2021, 2023, and now 2025. It’s not annual by design, more likely every 18 months. Each edition is launched when we feel the market, the producers, and the context are aligned to produce something truly meaningful. We may lose money not doing that every year but this is not the driving force.
As money is not the driving force, can you explain the model a bit more as it doesn’t work the same way as every other competition under the sun? How do you manage to fund it if not via entry fees?
Great Greek Wines does not operate under the pay-for-score model. That’s a conscious and foundational choice. Τogether with Gregory Michailos Dip WSET we want the awards to remain credible, useful, and aspirational, not transactional. Instead:
- Entry fees exist, but they are kept moderate and cover only part of the operation (logistics, coordination, etc.). Important here to note that we buy all wines from the market. WE DO NOT ACCEPT SAMPLES from producers.
- We don’t sell medals or stickers.
- No tiered medals (no double gold/platinum/etc.) — just one single list, strictly capped at ~10% of total entries. This year we launched the 30 Great Value Wines for wines that cost less than 17€ in the domestic market.
- There are no advertising sales or pay-to-play features in any follow-up content or guide.
We fund the project primarily through:
- Sponsorships from partners and institutions (National Greek Tourism Organization and private sector sponsors who believe in the project).
- Personal investment and commitment — this is a passion project as much as a professional one, and we’re very selective about how it grows.
- Over the years we have received lots of love from various wine people, usually friends MWs that helped us with many promotional activities keeping the budget low.
I noticed a ‘gr‘ after the wines in the list, such as, “Kallos Thalassino 2022 Retsina, Macedonia (1,281 gr)”. Can you explain what that is?
That refers to the bottle weight in grams — 1.281 kg. It’s included in the list as part of our new sustainability transparency effort. Glass weight is a major contributor to wine’s carbon footprint, so by publishing it, we’re encouraging more lightweight and eco-conscious packaging choices. Wines with low bottle weight, organic practices, and renewable energy usage may receive a special Green Distinction in GGW.
How many wines do you judge in total and do all the judges taste every wine?
For the 2025 edition of Great Greek Wines, we judged 660 wines submitted by approximately 200 producers from Greece and Cyprus. As for the judging process:
- All wines are judged blind, under strictly controlled conditions.
- We use two panels of international judges (7 in total), and while not every judge tastes every single wine, we ensure rotating panel members to maintain calibrated and balanced results.
- This rotation allows us to cross-check impressions and even out stylistic preferences, which is crucial in blind tastings.
- Each wine is assessed independently and must reach a certain consensus threshold to be included in the final list.
We’re very careful with structure and methodology — the goal is not just to reward quality, but to filter excellence consistently and fairly. That’s why only about 10% of wines make it to the final GGW list which I presume it the lowest compared to any competition in the world.
What’s changed in the this edition from the last?
Several key changes distinguish the 2025 edition of Great Greek Wines from previous years, all designed to reflect the evolution of Greek wine and make the platform even more relevant and contemporary:
- Name & Scope
We officially moved from “Top 50 Great Greek Wines” to “Great Greek Wines”. This subtle rebranding reflects a more flexible, evolving selection, no longer tied to a fixed number but to quality alone. With 660 entries this year (vs. 460 in 2022 and 609 in 2023 previously), the shift felt necessary.- Introduction of Great Value Wines
A separate list for wines under 17€ retail (domestic). It’s not about price — it’s about value: wines that over deliver, offer character, precision, and integrity.- Sustainability Push
We introduced a Green distinction, awarded to wines meeting three criteria: Light bottle weight (≤420g), certified biodynamic or Organic viticulture, Winery powered partly by renewable energy. It’s a first step to spotlight producers thinking long-term.- Wider Jury Representation
We maintained a core of judges deeply familiar with Greek wine, but also brought in new voices who are influential in their markets like Paz Levinson and Peter Richards MW next to Mark Andrew MW, W. Bonkowski MW, Lenka Sedlackova MW, C.Heynen MW and S. Neumann MS.- Broader Communication
Alongside the list and tasting notes, we now offer more tools for the trade — including digital booklets, regional overviews, and focused masterclasses (like this year’s with Julia Harding MW on “12 Wines That Changed Greek Wine”).In short, this year’s edition reflects our belief that Greek wine is evolving rapidly — and GGW should evolve with it.
What are we seeing as the stars in the Greek wine scene currently and why?
Some clear stars are emerging in the Greek wine scene right now — and what’s most exciting is that they’re not just about individual grape varieties or regions. What we’re really witnessing is a growing stylistic confidence and maturity across the board. Greece is a country embracing its identity and pushing it forward. Take Vidiano, for example. Once an insider’s secret from Crete, it’s now one of the most talked-about varieties — not only for its potential but also for its proven ability to deliver complex, mineral-driven, age-worthy wines. What’s particularly telling is that in this year’s Great Greek Wines list, Vidiano didn’t only shine from Crete but from other regions too, suggesting it’s becoming a pan-Hellenic success story.
Santorini, of course, remains a reference point. With 11 awarded wines in 2025, it proves once again why it’s Greece’s global wine ambassador. Even in recent difficult vintages, Assyrtiko continues to deliver tension, longevity and unmistakable identity. But what’s changed is that Santorini is no longer the only game in town. There is of course T-oinos, a newcomer from Corinthia (Papargyriou) and Alpha Estate’s Assyrtiko from Amyndeo.
One of the most inspiring developments is the comeback of Moschofilero. Long misunderstood and often relegated to entry-level wines, it’s now being treated with new respect. Precision winemaking, earlier harvesting, and thoughtful skin contact have revealed a floral, spicy, gastronomic side to the variety. Fittingly, it was this year’s “honoured grape” — and it didn’t disappoint with 4 wines awarded.
Xinomavro, meanwhile, is spreading its wings. Beyond its classic stronghold in Naoussa, it showed up in multiple PDOs (all but Goumenissa) and in a wide stylistic range: from traditional structured reds to fresher, fruitier interpretations, even rosés and sparkling wines. Meanwhile Agiorgitiko is preferred for the moment in its immediate, unoaked version but I feel confident to say that the best is yet to come.
The islands, too, are rising. Tinos, Cephalonia and others are pushing out beautifully distinctive wines that speak of wind, salt, and special soils (granitic or limestone). These are often made by producers who take a low-intervention approach, crafting wines with both purity and place.
And finally, the rebirth of Retsina. Yes, Retsina. A category once dismissed is now turning heads, thanks to new-generation winemakers who treat it as a serious wine with serious terroir. For the first time in years, people are talking about Retsina in the same breath as innovation. There are also quiet revolutions under way. Mavrodaphne, traditionally known for sweet reds, is finding a thrilling new expression in dry, structured styles that speak of depth and age-worthiness. This evolution could reshape perceptions of one of Greece’s oldest varieties. Similarly, Limniona — delicate, aromatic, and Burgundian in spirit — continues to impress with finesse and energy, gaining traction among sommeliers looking for the next breakthrough variety.
And let’s not forget Cyprus, whose presence in the list grows stronger year after year. The wines are sharper, more focused, and increasingly expressive of altitude and indigenous character. It’s a Mediterranean terroir with a fresh voice — and it’s now firmly part of the conversation. In short, Greek wine is moving from potential to performance. The stars are shining not because they chase trends, but because they embrace authenticity. That’s the story the 2025 Great Greek Wines list tells — and it’s one that’s just beginning.
As everything about this is in English, what’s been the reaction domestically in Greece?
The reaction in Greece this year was phenomenal — with major coverage from national broadcasters like ANT1 and SKAI, as well as high-profile print and digital platforms like Kathimerini, Proto Thema and more. Great Greek Wines became became again a domestic headline but in a more solid and persistent way. This brought the platform into local conversation in a new way. GGW is in every conversation. Producers saw their wines not just in the wine world but on TV, in newspapers, all over. And what’s even better? People — both wine lovers and pros — are starting to say it out loud: GGW might just be the coolest thing in Greek wine right now.
And of course, what’s been the reaction internationally?
The international response has been equally strong — and maybe even more exciting. The new list sparked interest from wine professionals, media, and sommeliers across Europe. Articles popped up fast in places like The Buyer and JancisRobinson.com, with Julia Harding MW herself writing a detailed piece that really captured what GGW is about.
We also had judges like Mark Andrew MW and Wojciech Bonkowski MW sharing their thoughts, which helped push the list into broader conversations around quality, identity, and where Greek wine is heading. Importers and buyers have already started asking for access to the list and the wines — proof that the GGW platform is gaining serious traction as a reference point for Greek wine globally.
What are you looking to do in the next edition and when do you think you’ll do it?
We’re looking to evolve even further in the next edition — building on what works, refining what needs to be sharper. That means expanding the international reach, and strengthening GGW as a working tool for professionals. We also want to deepen the value and sustainability sections, and maybe explore new themed categories.
With no points or medals released, it breaks from the standard of all other competitions. What do you think of the future of this format and do wineries still expect scores and/or medals?
That’s a great point — and yes, the departure from the norm is entirely intentional. We didn’t want to launch yet another wine competition that ends up awarding 80–85% of the entries. In fact, we sit at the opposite end of that spectrum because we believe in a fundamentally different model. Great Greek Wines doesn’t publish scores or medals because the goal is not to rank wines numerically, but to curate them meaningfully. This isn’t a competition in the conventional sense — it’s a selection, a snapshot of where Greek wine is today and where it’s heading. A sharp, thoughtful list designed to be a working tool for professionals — not a trophy shelf.
Of course, some wineries still look for the classic model — points, medals, stickers — and that’s perfectly understandable. But more and more producers are beginning to appreciate our approach, because it shifts the focus from “What score did I get?” to “Why was this wine chosen?” It encourages dialogue, not just celebration. And let’s be honest — in today’s scoring culture where 95 points has become the new 90, we wanted to step away from that inflationary loop.
As for the future, we truly believe this format has staying power. It’s leaner, more relevant, and far more aligned with how sommeliers, buyers, and serious drinkers actually make decisions. And so far, the response — particularly from international media, the trade, and thought-leaders — has been nothing short of enthusiastic.
Many thanks to Yiannis for his in depth and insightful replies for these exciting wines. Go check out the list if you want to start exploring them for yourself!
Disclaimer: As per Hudin.com policies, there was no payment or compensation for the publication of this interview.
