25 - Greece

Question 1

What are the three main grape varieties in Greece and where are they from?

Answer 1

Xinomavro (Naousa)
Agiorgitiko (Nemea)
Assyrtiko (Santorini)

Question 2

what is the overall climate in Greece? What is the main climactic problem?

Answer 2

hot, Mediterranean. Coastal areas moderated by the sea, altitude, and winds (this is where any best vineyards are located)
almost complete lack of rain during growing season can cause water stress i.e. drought, etc.

Question 3

True/False: the native grape varieties in Greece are well-suited to survive in arid, hot conditions

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Which grape variety is allowed in Naoussa PDO? What are its characteristics

Answer 4

Xinomavro (similar Nebbiolo)
high tannin, acidity
medium color that fades to tawny quickly.
lacks fresh fruit in youth
long-lived, develops spice and earthiness with age

Question 5

Where is Naoussa located? What are the altitudes here?

Answer 5

northern Greece (region of Macedonia) 
high altitudes, up to 400 meters. cooler than surrounding area as result

Question 6

Which grape variety are the wines of Nemea PDO made exclusively from

Answer 6

Agiorgitiko

Question 7

Where is Nemea located

Answer 7

north of Peloponnese peninsula.

Question 8

Where does the best fruit of Agiorgitiko come from?

Answer 8

middle of range of altitudes in Nemea ranging from 230-900 meters altitude
lower slopes can be too hot - jammy fruit made into early consumption wines
higher slopes - higher acidity, less fine tannin that is best suited for rose production

Question 9

what are characteristics of the best wine from Nemea PDO?

Answer 9

the wines in Nemea are made from Agiorgitiko grapes and best wines have deep ruby color
high, smooth tannin
low to moderate acidity
sweet spice, red fruit flavor
new oak 
age well

Question 10

Why does a unique training method have to be used on the volcanic island of Santorini?

Answer 10

the island is windswept and the training method is used to protect the vines. permanent wood trained into a basket. fruit grows on inside of basket.

Question 11

which wines made from which grape have the highest reputation in Santorini?

Answer 11

white wines made from Assyrtiko
dry wines, perfumed aromas
concentrated ripe citrus and stone fruit
naturally high acidity from Assyrtiko grape

Question 12

what are sweet wines made from Assyrtiko from Santorini called? How are they made? What are their characteristics?

Answer 12

Vinsanto
late-harvested grapes are sun-dried for up to 14 days. Wines are then aged old oak at least 2 years.
lusciously sweet, high acid. older wines have oxidative caramel and nuts

Question 13

What is the classification of wines based on Greek wine laws? For export vs. domestic markets?

Answer 13

Greece follows PDO/PGI system used by other EU countries
For export, sometimes Protected Designation of Origin or Appellation d’origine de qualite superieure is used (latter is subcategory of PDO).
on domestic market Greek equivalent of PDO is ‘Prostatevomeni Onomasia Proelefsis’