14. Greece Flashcards
What is Greece’s general climate?
Mediterranean - long, hot summers and short, mild winters
What climatic shift does inland Greece experience?
Becomes increasingly continental
What are two common viticultural risks?
1) Water stress as rainfall during the growing season is limited
2) Strong winds (particularly affecting Santorini) affecting flowering and fruit set
Irrigation is permitted in Greece, but reserved for what varieties and why?
1) International varieties i.e. Cabernet and Merlot
2) Local varieties have developed drought tolerance
What type of irrigation is common in Greece?
Drip
What challenge faces indigenous varieties and how has this been addressed?
1) Lack of recognition and pronounceability
2) Blending with international varieties
What are the two most planted white varieties?
1) Roditis
2) Savatiano
What is the most planted black variety?
Agiorgitiko
Describe Roditis (3)
1) Pink skin
2) High yielding
3) Mid-weight, high acid, ripe fruit - melon
Roditis and Savatiano are often blended into what?
Retsina
Describe Savatiano as a wine (2)
1) Citrus, pear, stone fruit
2) Nutty with age
Describe Savatiano in the vineyard (2)
1) Drought resistant
2) High yielding
What is Greece’s best, most prized white variety?
Assyrtiko
Name two other indigenous white varieties (besides Assyrtiko, Roditis, Savatiano)
1) Moschofilero
2) Malagousia
Describe Assyrtiko (4)
1) Adaptable to different conditions
2) High acid - ageable
3) Often high alcohol
3) Sweet or dry; citrus, stone fruit, tropical, smoke
Describe Moschofilero (3)
1) Citrus, floral, spicy (muscat-like)
2) High acid, light body, low alcohol (12%)
3) Pink skin
Describe Malagousia as a wine (3)
1) Mid-weight & medium acid
2) Complex floral and stone fruit
3) Herbaceous if picked early
What is bended with Xinomavro to soften it?
Merlot
What political event saw winemaking and viticulture improve in Greece?
1981’s accession to the EU
What are the origins of Retsina? (2)
1) Pine resin was used to seal amphorae and as a flavouring additive
2) With its popularity, Retsina was often poor quality with inexpensive resin used to try to mask faulty/poor wine
Retsina is commonly made with which two varieties grown where?
1) Savatiano and Roditis
2) The hot central plains
When is resin added to Retsina?
To the must before fermentation for an integration of flavour
What is Retsina’s special status?
Wine of appellation by tradition - OKP
What is Greece’s PDO equivalent?
POP - Prostatevmeni Onomasia Proelefsis
How many POPs are there?
33 representing 8% of the annual crush
What’s Greece’s PGI equivalent?
PGE - Prostatevmeni Geografiki Endiksi
What are the two key regions of Macedonia?
1) Naoussa
2) Amynteo
What is the climate of Naoussa and Amynteo?
Continental - cool due to altitude (mountainous) with more rain than elsewhere (650-700mm)