Greece

Question 1

Describe Greece’s climate and grape growing.

Answer 1

Hot, mediterranean climate
Costs moderated by sea
Altitude used to control temperature
Drought is a major concern

Question 2

Describe the Santorini PDO.

Answer 2

Windswept volcanic island in Aegean Sea
Winds too strong → vines need to be trained in basket shape
Main grape: Assyrtiko (“ah-seer-tee-koh”)

Question 3

Describe the Assyrtiko grape.

Answer 3

Grown in Santorini PDO.
Dry, high acid, citrus, stone fruit
Can be made into “Vinsanto”

Vinsanto: late harvest grapes , sun dried for 14 days, oak aged for 2+ years

Question 4

Describe the Naoussa PDO.

Answer 4

Northern Greece in Macedonia
Vineyards up to 400 meters (cool climate)
Main grape: Xinomavro (“ksee-no-mah-vro”)

Question 5

Describe the Xinomavro grape.

Answer 5

Grown in Naoussa PDO.

Similar to Nebbiolo in style and color.

Question 6

Describe the Nemea PDO.

Answer 6

Southern Greece (Pelopenesse)
Vineyards from 230-900 meters
Fruit from lower slopes: overly jammy
Fruit from middle slopes: best
Fruit from higher sloper: high acid
Main grape: Agiorgitiko ("ah-your-yee-tee-koh")

Question 7

Describe the Agiorgitiko grape.

Answer 7

Grown in Nemea PDO.

Deep ruby, high tannin, low acid, sweet spices, red fruit, new oak