WINES OF THE WORLD 🇬🇷 Greece

Question 1

Climate of Greece

Answer 1

Mediterranean climate. Long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Inland, it’s more continental. Flatter lands are hotter and sea is a moderating factor. Different levels of rainfall (400-700 mm), generally no during the growing season.

Question 2

Hazards in Greece

Answer 2

Spring frost in areas of northern Greece. Strong winds on many Greek islands (especially Santorini), more water stress, they can also destroy the vines. Water stress (irrigation).

Question 3

Topography of Greece

Answer 3

A very mountainous country, best vineyards are planted at altitude to moderate temperatures. Some flatter lands (the plains of eastern Macedonia and central Greece).

Question 4

Type of soils in Greece

Answer 4

Different types of soil, from limestone to volcanic, tending to be low in fertility.

Question 5

Main grape varieties of Greece

Answer 5

70% whites. Savatiano, Roditis (pink), Assyrtiko, Moschofilero (pink), Malagousia, Agiorgitiko, Xinomavro.

Question 6

Pink grape varieties of Greece

Answer 6

Roditis, Moschofilero.

Question 7

Main training systems in

Answer 7

Vineyards are mainly trellised and pruning systems are adapted to local conditions (usually cordon-trained with VSP, nest against strong wind in Santorini).

Question 8

Key winemaking operations for wines in Greece

Answer 8

Traditionally, foot crushing and fermentation in old casks, then long ageing before consumption. Now, modern presses, temperature control and stainless steel for fermentation. More use of new oak barriques (red and white), mainly French but also American. Some producers are returning to some traditional approaches (naturally-occurring yeast, shorter extraction amphorae for maturation).
Sweet wines are made using sun-dried grapes.

Question 9

Main sub-regions of Greece

Answer 9

• Macedonia
• Peloponnese
• Islands

Question 10

Classification of Greek wines

Answer 10

• POP
• PGE
• Wines from Greece
• OKP

Question 11

POP

Answer 11

Prostatevmeni Onomasia Proelefsis) - The Greek PDO, 33 denominations, rules on grape growing and winemaking (grape varieties, yields), only for native varieties (Muscat exception).

Question 12

PGE

Answer 12

Prostatevmeni Geografiki Endiksi - The Greek PGI, over 120 denominations, less regulations, also for international varieties.

Question 13

Wines from Greece (classification)

Answer 13

For wines without a geographical indication (usually for high volume brands).

Question 14

OKP

Answer 14

Greek classification for traditional products (Retsina).

Question 15

Types of businesses that operate in Greece

Answer 15

Avg vineyard is 0.5 ha. Many growers sell grapes to large producers (Greek Wine Cellars and Boutaris Group) or co-operatives, or produce very small volumes to sell locally. Increase to sell wines from small wineries.
Many co-operatives have damaged the reputation of Greek wines in the past, while Samos increased with high-quality sweet wines, and others improved modernisation.

Question 16

Types of wines made in Greece

Answer 16

20% PDO wines, 62% PGI wines, 18% Wines of Greece.

Question 17

Retsina

Answer 17

Pine resin was used to seal amphorae and then used as an additive (flavouring purpose). Usually to mask poor quality wines, but also some high-quality wines were made by using a good pine resin. Most Retsina comes from the hot central plains, from many varieties (the most common are Savatiano and Roditis). Resin is usually added to the must and the wine is left on its less for a max of one week after fermentation. It’s a legally-protected category with regulations (amount of resin, min acidity). It has been granted special status as a “wine of appellation by tradition” (OKP). Premium bottles from Assyrtiko.

Question 18

Main appellations within Macedonia

Answer 18

Naoussa PDO and Amynteo PDO

Question 19

Climate of Macedonia

Answer 19

Cool continental and adequate rainfall on the mountains (no problem of water supply). Warm Mediterranean on the plains, also dry due to rain shadow.

Question 20

Main grape varieties of Macedonia

Answer 20

Xinomavro.

Question 21

Type of soils in Macedonia

Answer 21

Poor on the mountains, more fertile on the flat land.

Question 22

Naoussa PDO

Answer 22

PDO in Macedonia. SE slopes of Mount Vermio, vineyards at 150-400 m, cool temperature, the best sites are sheltered from strong cool winds. Only reds (100% Xinomavro). Traditionally, large old wooden vessels (spicy and meaty wines), then barriques (firmer tannins and more body), and now modern style (riper fruit, cold soaking, whole-bunch fermentation, deeper wine, less tannic). Wines from village or single-vineyard due to difference in soils and microclimate. Thymiopoulos Vineyards and Kir-Yianni as significant producers.

Question 23

Amynteo PDO

Answer 23

PDO in Macedonia. NW of Mount Vermio, higher altitude than Naoussa (570-750 m), exposed to cool winds, moderating influence from some lakes (also higher humidity, risk of rot), fertile soil, spring frost can be a problem. Old vines where sandy soils. Reds and rosés. Alpha Estate as significant producer.

Question 24

Types of wines made in Macedonia

Answer 24

Traditionally, red wines. Modern Bordeaux blends from the warmer and drier Drama Valley to the east. Some whites at altitude (Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc) and full-bodied and ripe (Assyrtiko and Malagousia).

Question 25

Main appellations within Peloponnese

Answer 25

Nemea PDO and Mantinia PDO

Question 26

Main grape varieties of Peloponnese

Answer 26

Temperatures (low latitude) are moderated by the altitude. Rainfall from E winds but drop due to mountains.

Question 27

Main grape varieties of Peloponnese

Answer 27

Mainly whites (Moschofilero and Roditis), except for Nemea PDO (Agiorgitiko).

Question 28

Types of wines made in Peloponnese

Answer 28

Large volume of inexpensive wines outside PDOs. PGI wines from international varieties.

Question 29

Nemea

Answer 29

Close to the Corinth Canal. Mediterranean climate, rainfall mainly in autumn (can dictate harvest time) and winter, possibility of significant difference in the amount from one year to the next. Three sub-regions: the lowest on valley floor (230-400 m, the hottest, fertile soils, inexpensive wines and some high-quality sweet wines), the middle (450-650 m, cooler, poor and free-draining soils, best quality wines, cru system due to different microclimate and soils), the highest zone (650-1,000 m, cooler and cool clay soil, rosé production due to red fresh fruit and high acidity).

Question 30

Nemea PDO

Answer 30

100% Agiorgitiko. In the past, more use of new French barrique, now subtle. New style using semi-carbonic maceration (fruity wines with low tannin). Gaia Wines and Tselepos as significant producers.

Question 31

Mantinia PDO

Answer 31

85+% Moschofilero. S and W of Nemea, plateau from 600 m (one of the coolest grape-growing areas, the longest growing season, no full ripeness in the coldest years). Only whites. Stainless steel, early drinking style. Boutari and Seméli Estate as significant producers.

Question 32

Type of soils in the Greek islands

Answer 32

Mainly rocky soils with poor water retention.

Question 33

Climate of Greek islands

Answer 33

Strong winds and very low rainfall in some islands.

Question 34

Types of wines made in Paros

Answer 34

Still and sweet wines.

Question 35

Types of wines made in Tinos, Samos and Lemnos

Answer 35

Sweet Muscats.

Question 36

Types of wines made in Crete

Answer 36

High-quality wines (indigenous and international varieties).

Question 37

Santorini

Answer 37

Island on a volcano (infertile soil), very strong winds so vines are trained low in a basket shape. The vines are woven around the previous year’s growth. A new basket from a shoot when too bulky or every 20 years (labour intensive). Experiments with VSP. Little rainfall, dry growing season. Moisture from the caldera every morning. Very low density (2,500 vines per ha). Many vines are pre-phylloxera (up to 400 years old). The lowest max yield in Greece.

Question 38

Santorini PDO

Answer 38

Dry and sweet, mainly from Assyrtiko. Fermentation in inert vessels to retain primary fruit. Vinsanto from late-harvested grapes, dried in the sun for up two weeks. High sugar, 200-300 g/L. 2+ years oak ageing (oxidation encouraging). Estate Argyros and Domaine Sigalas as significant producers.

Question 39

Vinsanto

Answer 39

Sweet wines made in Santorini from late-harvested grapes, dried in the sun for up two weeks. High sugar, 200-300 g/L. 2+ years oak ageing (oxidation encouraging).