25 - Greece

Question 1

What are the 3 grape varieties of Greece with the greatest popularity in export markets and what regions are they associated with?

Answer 1

Xinomavro - Naoussa
Agiorgitiko - Nemea
Assyrtiko - Santorini

Question 2

What is Greece’s climate?

Answer 2

Hot Mediterranean

Question 3

What temperatures can Greece reach in the summer?

Answer 3

Well over 30C, but with coastal regions moderated by the sea.

Question 4

What other climatic factors play a role in Greek wines?

Answer 4

Altitude and wind.

Wind can damage/destroy unprotected vines on the islands.

Question 5

What hazards do Greek vineyards face?

Answer 5

Islands: Wind.

Rainfall: Even in the wetter western areas, water stress in growing season is a risk.

Drought is of real concern in the hotter eastern regions, which lie in the rain shadow of the Pindos Oros mountains where there is little water for irrigation.

Question 6

How many grape varieties are there native to Greece?

Answer 6

Over 200, very few of which are grown elsewhere.

Question 7

Are there international varieties grown in Greece?

Answer 7

Some, but most PDO’s require the planting of indigenous grapes.

Question 8

What is the Greek equivalent of PDO on the domestic market?

Answer 8

POP: Prostatevomeni Onomasia Proelefsis

Question 9

Where is Naoussa in Greece?

Answer 9

In the northern region of Macedonia.

Question 10

What is notable about the vineyard area of Naoussa?

Answer 10

It’s at altitudes of up to 400m and is notably cooler than the surrounding area.

Question 11

What types of wine are made in Naoussa?

Answer 11

Reds only, from Xinomavro grapes.

Question 12

What international grape variety is Xinomavro often compared to?

Describe the character of Xinomavro wine

Answer 12

Nebbiolo

High Tannin and Acid. Medium Colour that quickly fades to tawny. Lacking in fresh fruit aromas, even in youth. Long lived and can develop complex spicy and earthy aromas with age.

Some producers now trying different styles with less tannin, and deeper colour and some aged in new oak.

Question 13

Where is the Nemea PDO in Greece?

Answer 13

In the north of the Peloponnese, near the strip of land that joins the peninsula to the Greek mainland.

Question 14

What types of wine are made in Nemea PDO?

Answer 14

Reds only, from Agiorgitiko

Question 15

Describe the vineyard topography of Nemea.

Answer 15

Spread over a range of altitudes from 230m to 900m

Question 16

Describe the wines of Nemea

Answer 16

Best: (from mid altitude vineyards)
Deep ruby colour
High levels of smooth tannin
Low-Med Acidity
Sweet Spice and Red Fruit Flavours. 
Great affinity for new oak and age well. 

Low altitude:
Tend to be overly jammy.
Used to make fruity wines for early consumption.

High Altitudes:
Higher acidity and less fine tannin.
Can add freshness to a red blend, but best suited to making rose.

Question 17

Where is Santorini?

Answer 17

It is a windswept volcanic island in the Aegean Sea.

Question 18

What is a climatic hazard of Santorini and how is it mitigated?

Answer 18

Winds. They’re so strong here that a unique training system is used to protect the vines.

The permanent wood is trained low to the ground, in a basket shape and the fruit grows on the inside.

Question 19

What types of wines are grown in Santorinin?

Answer 19

The PDO covers red and white wines in dry and sweet styles but the dry whites from Assyrtiko have the best reputation.

Vinsanto: Sweet wines.

Question 20

Describe how Vinsanto from Greece is made.

Answer 20

Late harvest grapes are sun-dried for up to 14 days. Oak aged for minimum of 2 years (often more). Marked oxidative character of caramel and nuts.

Luscious sweetness is balanced with high acidity.

Question 21

What GI labelling terms can Greek winemakers use for export market?

What labelling term is used domestically?

Answer 21

PDO

or

Appellation d’origine de qualite superieure (a subcategory within the PDO classification)

POP