Greece Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are the major climatic influences on Greece’s wine regions?
- Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers, mild winters
- Altitude: moderates temperature, especially in mainland areas like Naoussa & Nemea
- Aegean & Ionian Seas: cool breezes reduce disease pressure on islands
- Wind (Meltemi): important cooling influence on islands like Santorini
What is the quality structure for Greek wines (from basic to highest)?
- Epitrapezios Oinos – Table wine
- PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) – Regional wines
- PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) – Highest classification, formerly OPAP/OPE
- OPAP – dry wines
- OPE – sweet wines
(Note: Now all under EU PDO/PGI system)
Name the principal wine regions of Greece and their locations.
- Naoussa PDO (Macedonia, Northern Greece) – inland, cool climate
- Nemea PDO (Peloponnese) – mainland, warm, hilly
- Mantinia PDO (Arcadia, central Peloponnese) – high elevation
- Santorini PDO (Cyclades Islands, Aegean Sea) – volcanic island
- Crete (Dafnes, Arhanes PDOs) – southernmost island
- Drama & Amyndeon – Northern Greece, cooler, continental climates
What are key white grape varietals of Greece and where are they grown?
- Assyrtiko – Santorini, mainland
- Moschofilero – Mantinia (high elevation)
- Roditis – Peloponnese
- Malagousia – Macedonia
- Savvatiano – Central Greece (traditionally for Retsina)
What are key red grape varietals of Greece and where are they grown?
- Xinomavro – Naoussa & Amyndeon PDOs (cool climate)
- Agiorgitiko – Nemea PDO (Peloponnese)
- Mavrodaphne – Patras (sweet fortified wines)
- Limnio – Thrace (ancient varietal)
What wine style is Santorini PDO famous for, and which grape is used?
- Dry, mineral white wines from Assyrtiko
- Occasionally blended with Aidani and Athiri
- Also known for Vinsanto (sweet, sun-dried wine)
What style of wine is Naoussa PDO known for?
- Red wines made from Xinomavro
- High acidity and tannin, often compared to Nebbiolo
What wine is typical of the Nemea PDO, and what grape is used?
- Agiorgitiko-based red wines
- Soft tannins, dark fruit, can range from fresh to age-worthy styles
What wine is produced in Naoussa PDO, and what grape is used?
- Red wines from Xinomavro
- High acid, tannic, age-worthy, often compared to Barolo
What style of wine is produced in Slopes of Meliton (Côtes de Meliton) PDO?
- Located in Northern Greece (Halkidiki)
- Dry red and white wines
- Reds: Limnio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
- Whites: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Rhoditis
What is the principal wine of Nemea PDO, and what grape is used?
- Red wines from Agiorgitiko
- Deep-colored, soft tannins, from fresh styles to barrel-aged
What wine is produced in Mantinia PDO, and what grape is used?
- Aromatic white wines from Moschofilero
- High-altitude vineyards give fresh, floral character
What is the principal wine of Patras PDO?
- Dry white wines from Roditis
- Surrounding areas (Patras PGI) produce sweet fortified wines from Mavrodaphne and Muscat
What wine is Samos PDO known for?
- Dessert wines from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains (Moschato Aspro)
- Styles: Vin doux naturel, vin doux, and vin doux naturel grand cru
What wine is Santorini PDO known for?
- Dry, mineral whites from Assyrtiko
- Also Vinsanto: sweet wine made from sun-dried Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri, aged oxidatively
How is Vinsanto from Santorini produced?
- Overripe grapes (Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri) are sun-dried
- Fermented and aged oxidatively in barrel
- Produces amber-colored dessert wine with natural sweetness and high acid
How is Samos dessert wine traditionally made?
- Fortified wine from Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains
- Grapes harvested very ripe or dried; spirit added during fermentation
- Style: Vin Doux, rich, sweet, and aromatic
What do these Greek wine label terms mean?
- Dry = Ξηρός (Xiros)
- Semi-dry = Ημίξηρος (Imixiros)
- Semi-sweet = Ημίγλυκος (Imiglykos)
- Sweet = Γλυκός (Glykos)
- Reserve = Indicates minimum aging: 1 yr white / 2 yrs red
- Grand Reserve = Longer aging: 2 yrs white / 4 yrs red
