C25 - Greece

Question 1

Which three Greek grape varieties have received the most recognition on the international export market and which region are they linked to?

Answer 1

Xinomavro from Naoussa
Agiorgitiko from Nemea
Assyrtiko from Santorini

Question 2

Describe the climate in Greece

Answer 2

Hot Mediterranean; summers can reach over 30C
Cooled by altitude and in the coastal areas, by the sea
Winds in islands southeast of the mainland can be strong enough to destroy vines, but also have a cooling effect
Drought can be an issue, even in the wetter areas, but particularly in the eastern areas of the country

Question 3

Why is the eastern part of Greece particularly susceptible to drought?

Answer 3

It is in the rain-shadow of the Pindos Oros mountains, where there is little water available for irrigation

Question 4

How many grape varieties are native to Greece?

Answer 4

Over 200

Question 5

What is special about Greece’s native grape varieties?

Answer 5

They are well adapted to survive in the arid, hot conditions found in Greece

Question 6

What is the requirement regarding grape varieties, of most Greek PDO designations?

Answer 6

The use of native varieties

Question 7

Where in Greece is Naoussa PDO?

Answer 7

In northern Greece, in the region of Macedonia

Question 8

Describe the vineyards of Naoussa PDO

Answer 8

They are at altitudes of up to 400m and are noticeably cooler than surrounding areas

Question 9

What are the varietal requirements for Naoussa PDO?

Answer 9

Must be red wines made exclusively from Xinomavro

Question 10

With which more famous wine grape is Xinomavro most commonly compared?

Answer 10

Nebbiolo

Question 11

Describe wines made from Xinomavro

Answer 11

High tannin
High acidity
Medium color that fades to tawny with age
They lack fresh fruit aromas even in youth
Long-lived
Develop complex spice and earthy aromas with age

Question 12

How are new winemakers playing with the traditional format of Xinomavro?

Answer 12

Some are more deeply colored and less tannic
Some are aged in new oak

Question 13

Where is Nemea?

Answer 13

In the north of the Peloponnese, close to the narrow strip of land that joins the peninsula to the rest of mainland Greece

Question 14

What are the varietal requirements for Nemea PDO?

Answer 14

Must be red wines made exclusively from Agiorgitiko

Question 15

Describe the vineyards of Nemea

Answer 15

They are spread over a wide range of altitudes from 230 to 900 meters

Question 16

Where in Nemea does the best fruit come from?

Answer 16

The vineyards in the middle of the altitude range

Question 17

Describe wines made from fruit at the bottom of the slopes in Nemea

Answer 17

They can be overly jammy and tend to be made into fruity wines for early consumption

Question 18

Describe fruit from the higher slopes of Nemea

Answer 18

Tends to have a higher acidity and less fine tannins
Can add freshness to a red blend
Best suited to rosé production

Question 19

Describe the best wines of Nemea

Answer 19

Deep ruby color
High levels of smooth tannins
Low to moderate acidity
Sweet spice and red fruit flavors
Great affinity for new oak and age well

Question 20

Where/what (roughly) is Santorini?

Answer 20

It is a windswept volcanic island in the Aegean Sea

Question 21

What is special about vines on Santorini? Why are they like this?

Answer 21

They are trained very low into a basket shape and the fruit grows on the inside To protect them against the strong winds on the island

Question 22

What style/color must Santorini PDO wines be made into?

Answer 22

They can be red or white, dry or sweet

Question 23

What style in Santorini has the highest reputation?

Answer 23

White wines made from Assyrtiko

Question 24

Describe dry white wines from Santorini

Answer 24

Perfumed aromas and concentrated flavors of ripe citrus and stone fruit High acidity

Question 25

How are the sweet wines of Santorini PDO known?

Answer 25

Vinsanto

Question 26

How are the late-harvested, Vinsanto grapes of Santorini PDO made?Describe the resulting sweet wines

Answer 26

Sun-dried for up to 14 days
Wines then aged in oak for minimum of two years (many producers age their wine for far longer)
Sweetness balanced by high acidity
Older wines show oxidative character of caramel and nuts

Question 27

Other than PDO, how may Greek wine producers label their wines?

Answer 27

Appellation d’origine de qualité supérieure

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Prostatevomeni Onomasia Proelefsis