Wine Regions

Question 1

Where is the Greek region of Macedonia located in the country?

Answer 1

Along its northern border.

Question 2

PDO Naoussa covers the southeastern slopes of which mountain and at what altitude are the vineyards planted?

Answer 2

Mount Vermio at between 150 and 400m

Question 3

Naoussa wines have to be made using 100% of which grape variety?

Answer 3

Xinomavro

Question 4

Name 2 significant Naoussa producers.

Answer 4

Thymiopoulos Vineyards
Kir-Yianni

Question 5

How does Amynteo differs from Naoussa in terms of growing conditions?

Answer 5

It is found on the opposite northwestern side of Mount Vermio at a higher altitude than Naoussa (570-750m) with a northerly aspect exposed to cold northerly winds, leading to cool summer and cold winters. More lakes which moderate temperature extremes but increase the risk of rot and close to which soils are more fertile (care taken to control yields).

Question 6

100% made from Xinomavro, can Naoussa and Amynteo produce rosés within the boundaries of their respective PDO?

Answer 6

In Naoussa: NO
In Amynteo: YES

Question 7

Name one significant producer in Amynteo.

Answer 7

Alpha Estate

Question 8

Which area of Greece’s territory is referred to as the Peloponnese?

Answer 8

The peninsula, which forms the sourthern part of the Greek mainland.

Question 9

Which are the 2 most significant PDOs of the Peloponnese?

Answer 9

Nemea and Mantinia

Question 10

Nemea PDO is situated close to which famous canal, separating the peninsula from the rest of mainland Greece?

Answer 10

The Corinth Canal

Question 11

Nemea PDO is only for red wines made from 100% of which grape variety?

Answer 11

Agiorgitiko

Question 12

Does Nemea PDO allow for the production of sweet versions of Agiorgitiko?

Answer 12

Yes, but they are rare.

Question 13

Name 2 significant Nemea producers.

Answer 13

Gaia Wines
Tselepos

Question 14

What is the climate in Nemea?

Answer 14

Mediterranean

Question 15

Is rainfall mainly stable or significantly variable in Nemea from year to year?

Answer 15

There can be significant differences in the amount of rainfall year on year (from as low as 400mm to 900mm).

Question 16

How is Nemea divided internally?

Answer 16

Nemea is usually divided into 3 distinct zones by reference to altitude.

Question 17

What are the main distinctions between all 3 Nemea zones?

Answer 17

1. Valley floor (230-400m), hottest with most fertile soil, easy ripening, usually inexpensive wines but also high-quality sweet wines
2. Cooler middle zone (450-650m) considered best for quality, poor free-draining soils limiting yields, cooler temperatures slowing sugar accumulation while flavours + tannins ripen, talk of introducing a cru system (range of microclimates)
3. Highest zone (650-1000m) Agiorgitiko can struggle to ripen fully in cooler temperatures and cool clay soils, fresh red fruits, high acid, potentially harsh tannins, mainly used for rosé (outside PDO), potential for fresher reds with higher acidity

Question 18

Where is Mantinia PDO in reference to Nemea PDO?

Answer 18

Mantinia PDO is located to the south and west of Nemea PDO.

Question 19

Why is Mantinia one of the coolest grape-growing areas in Greece despite its southerly latitude?

Answer 19

Its altitude, as Mantinia occupies a plateau with elevations starting at 600m.

Question 20

The wines of Mantinia PDO must be made with at least which % of which grape variety?

Answer 20

Moschofilero must make up at least 85% of the blend of the Mantinia PDO, although many of the highest quality wines are made from 100% Moschofilero.

Question 21

Name 2 significant producers in Mantinia PDO.

Answer 21

Boutari
Seméli Estate

Question 22

Most of the best-known Greek islands for producing wine lie in which sea?

Answer 22

Aegean Sea

Question 23

What is one of the main threats to the development and survival of viticulture on the Greek islands?

Answer 23

The temptation of producers to profit from the lucrative opportunity to sell their land for tourist developments.

Question 24

What is the name used to refer to a central crater such as the one submerged in Santorini that is responsible for the island’s shape?

Answer 24

Caldera

Question 25

What is the traditional training method used for vines on Santorini?

Answer 25

They are trained low to the ground in a basket shape, usually in a hollow. Each year the vines are woven around the previous year’s growth.

Question 26

After how many years does the basket usually gets too bulky, therefore requiring it to be cut off and started anew from a shoot?

Answer 26

20 years or so

Question 27

Where does most of the essential moisture come from in Santorini?

Answer 27

From the fog which rises from the caldera every morning and the traditional training system also helps trap the moisture.

Question 28

What are the planting densities like in Santorini given the very limited amounts of water available?

Answer 28

Very low: less than 2,500 vines per hectare

Question 29

Has phylloxera been a problem on Santorini?

Answer 29

No. Some vines are estimated to have roots and trunks that are over 400 years old.

Question 30

What are the maximum permitted yields in Santorini and how low can they get in practice?

Answer 30

Max is 60 hl/ha but in practice they are considerably lower than that, as low as 15 hl/ha from the oldest vines.

Question 31

Santorini PDOs are for which styles of wine only?

Answer 31

Only for white wines, both sweet and dry.

Question 32

Dry wines from Santorini must contain at least what % of Assyrtiko? What about sweet wines?

Answer 32

75% for dry wines
51% for sweet wines

Question 33

How does Santorini’s Vinsanto differs from Tuscany’s Vin Santo in terms of spelling?

Answer 33

Santorini: Vinsanto
Tuscany: Vin Santo

Question 34

How does Santorini’s Vinsanto differs from Tuscany’s Vin Santo in terms of spelling?

Answer 34

Santorini: Vinsanto
Tuscany: Vin Santo

Question 35

How long are late-harvested Vinsanto grapes usually dried out in the sun for?

Answer 35

2 weeks

Question 36

How long must Vinsanto be aged for in oak before release?

Answer 36

At least 2 years, but many producers will age it for longer, often in larger casks that are not fully filled to encourage oxidation.

Question 37

How sweet are Vinsanto generally?

Answer 37

Between 200 and 300 g/L RS

Question 38

Name 2 significant producers of Santorini wines.

Answer 38

Estate Argyros
Domaine Sigalas

Question 39

What is Verdea and where is it produced?

Answer 39

Verdea is a traditional multi-varietal white wine produced on Zakynthos, one of the Ionian Islands in western Greece which was under Venetian rule for centuries. Traditional verdea is a high alcohol content, dry oxidative wine, which gives a strong sense of aging in oak barrels reminiscent of sherry or vin jaune. All verdea wines bear the indication “Traditional Designation” (like Retsina).

Question 40

Where does the name Verdea comes from?

Answer 40

It owes its name to the Italian “verde,” meaning “green,” which refers to the color of the unripe grapes used to increase the wine’s acidity.

Question 41

Name the 6 wider regions of mainland Greece.

Answer 41

Thrace
Macedonia
Epirus
Thessalia
Central Greece
Peloponnese

Question 42

Can Thrace, in northeastern Greece, claim any PDO appellations?

Answer 42

Thrace, in northeastern Greece, cannot claim any PDO appellations.

Question 43

What kind of wines are made in PDO Goumenissa?

Answer 43

In Goumenissa PDO, lighter Xinomavro wines are produced, requiring the addition of at least 20% Negoska.

Question 44

What is the name of the 4th PDO where Xinomavro is cultivated - the other three being PDO Amynteo, PDO Naoussa and PDO Goumenissa?

Answer 44

PDO Rapsani

Question 45

PDO Slopes of Meliton is one of the two PDO wines whose red wines includes which ancient variety native to Greece?

Answer 45

Lemnio (or Limnio on Guildsomm)

Question 46

Which producer is the only one making wine on the PDO Slopes of Meliton?

Answer 46

Domaine Porto Carras is the only winery in the Slopes of Meliton PDO.

Question 47

Under the guidance of which great oenologist did Domaine Carras managed to receive international acclaim?

Answer 47

Émile Peynaud

Question 48

Where is the Rapsani PDO located?

Answer 48

In Thessalia, south of Macedonia, and includes four villages on the lower slopes of Mount Olympus.

Question 49

Xinomavro-based Rapsani PDO wines are softened by blending with which 2 varieties?

Answer 49

Krassato
Stavroto

Question 50

Where is Retsina mainly produced?

Answer 50

In Central Greece, or Sterea Ellada, is a bastion of retsina; Attiki, the region surrounding Athens, is the center of production.

Question 51

Vine cultivation in the Peloponnese is concentrated in the north, around the three PDO zones of Nemea PDO, Mantinia PDO, and…

Answer 51

Patras PDO

Question 52

Patras is an appellation for dry to semisweet white wines produced from 100% Roditis, but there are also three dessert wine PDO zones connected to the region. What are they?

Answer 52

1. Muscat of Patras (either vin doux naturel or naturally sweet in style)
2. Muscat of Rio Patras (either vin doux naturel or naturally sweet in style)
3. Mavrodaphne of Patras

Question 53

What is Mavrodaphne?

Answer 53

Mavrodaphne (“black laurel”) of Patras is a sweet, fortified red wine produced from Mavrodaphne and Mavri Korinthiaki. It is aged for at least 1 year in wood prior to release, but the wine may sometimes rest in cask for a decade or more prior to bottling.

Question 54

What are the 4 wine-producing Ionian Islands off the west coast of Greece?

Answer 54

1. Cephalonia (only Ionian island that has any PDOs)
2. Kerkyra (Corfu)
3. Lefkada
4. Zakynthos.

Question 55

What is Robola of Cephalonia PDO?

Answer 55

Robola of Cephalonia PDO is a PDO on the Ionian island of Cephalonia for dry white wines produced from Robola, a variety unrelated to the Ribolla or Rebula found in Friuli or Slovenia.