Masterclass with Julia Harding MW & Yiannis Karakasis MW: 12 Wines that Changed Greek Wine through the Great Greek Wines lists
With the support of the Greek National Tourism Organisation
On May 22, 2025, just hours before the highly anticipated announcement of the new Great Greek Wines list, the iconic Hotel Grande Bretagne hosted a masterclass that will be hard to forget for those lucky enough to attend. This was not just a tasting, but a fascinating retrospective on the journey and evolution of Greek wine.
Presented by two leading figures in the global wine world — Julia Harding MW, close collaborator of the legendary Jancis Robinson and one of the most respected Masters of Wine internationally, and Yiannis Karakasis MW, founder of Great Greek Wines — participants were taken on a journey through 12 landmark wines. These are wines that, through their unique contributions, changed the narrative of Greek wine, giving it a voice and identity both within Greece and abroad through the promotional efforts of Great Greek Wines.
The selection of wines was no coincidence. It was drawn from all the Great Greek Wines lists, confirming the timelessness and influence of certain labels that have shaped new trends, highlighted obscure varieties, and established emerging regions.
The wines presented were:
- Troupis Winery, Pitys Ritinitis NV, Retsina, Peloponnese
- Mylonas Winery, Cuvée Vouno 2021, Savatiano, Attica
- Mikra Thira Winery, Terrasea Santorini 2022, Assyrtiko, Santorini
- Artemis Karamolegos Winery, Kamara 2021, Assyrtiko, Santorini
- Argyros Estate, Cuvée Evdemon 2020, Assyrtiko, Santorini
- Sant’Or Winery, Skin Contact 2024, Santameriana, Peloponnese
- Athanasiou Winery, Thronos 2022, Nemea, Agiorgitiko
- Zafeirakis Estate, 2020 Limniona, Tyrnavos
- Alpha Estate, Ecosystem Reserve Vieilles Vignes Single Block “Barba Yannis” 2015, Xinomavro, Amyntaio
- Markovitis Winery, 2017, Xinomavro, Naoussa
- T-Oinos, Clos Stegasta 2022, Mavrotragano, Tinos
- Lyrarakis Winery, Aggelis 2021, Liatiko, Crete
This masterclass was a reminder of how far Greek wine has come — and a glimpse of how much further it can go. An event that confirmed Greek wine is no longer just “emerging” — it is here, with character, stories, and a future.
“This list is not a definitive ranking or a final account,” said Yiannis Karakasis MW. “It is a selection of 12 wines that, together with Julia Harding MW, we felt have truly changed the landscape of Greek wine in recent years. The focus was on wines that stood out through the Great Greek Wines platform — labels that not only excelled, but also significantly influenced the path and perception of Greek wine both domestically and internationally.”
