The OPAP “Mesenikolas” is produced in the wine-growing zone between the villages of Moschato-Morfovouni-Messenikolas near the Plastira’s Lake at the prefecture of Karditsa. The Mesenikola Municipal District is 700 meters tall “drowned” in the beautiful vineyards
And near the northeastern side of Lake Plastira, is about 20 km from the city of Karditsa.
The variety that made wines known outside the Prefecture of Karditsa is Black Mesenicola, which is not grown in other parts of Greece. Its origins are due to a Venetian official Messier Nicolas. He was the one who brought the vineyard cultivation and the Black Mesenicola, a special red variety. It is combined with the Syrah and Carignan varieties at a rate of 30% for the production of the name ‘Melenicola’. It is an indigenous variety, lively, productive and resistant to drought. Its grape is conical or cylindrical, blooming around the end of May and maturing towards the end of September giving wines with fine aromas, moderate alcoholic strength and color.
It is cultivated in a semi-mountainous area on small, sloping vineyards, with yields in the old vineyards of 600 – 700 kilos per acre and the young up to 1,200 kilos per acre.
Delicates that can accompany the Black Mesenicola are the cranberry jam, chicken a la Fronto and others. In August the wine festival is organized, giving free wine to all guests.
