The white grape variety with pink to dark red berries originates from Greece. The name is derived from "sidero" (iron) and refers to the hard berry skins. Synonyms are Akaki, Chimoniatiko, Siderites, Sideritis Dopios, Sideritis Ntopios, Sideritis Scopelan, Sideritis Scopelou and Sidiritis.
The ancestry (parentage) is unknown. Confusingly, there is also an almost extinct variety of this name on the island of Cyprus, but it has a completely different DNA profile.
This very late-ripening vine is particularly susceptible to botrytis and powdery mildew, but is resistant to drought and heat. It produces fresh, acidic white wines with a peppery flavour, which are often blended with the Roditis variety. It is also used as table grape.
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