Ch 25 - Greece Flashcards
What is the climate in Greece? What influences moderate climate?
Mediterranean - temps can reach well over 30 degrees although coastal areas are moderated by the sea. Altitude and wind, which in the islands to the SE are strong enough to destroy vineyards, can also have cooling effect.
Where are the best sites generally found in Greece?
In cooler sites away from blistering heat - those moderated by cooling winds and altitude.
What are hazards in Greece?
Rainfall levels can vary but even in wetter areas a complete lack of rain in growing season can cause water stress. Drought particular concern on east which is in rain shadow of mountains and has little available for irrigation.
What is Naoussa PDO and what wines does it produce?
In the north region of Macedonia. Altitudes up to 400 m mean it is noticeably cooler. Red wines made from Xinomavro exclusively.
What are the characteristics of Xinomavro? What is this grape generally compared to?
High tannin, high acidity, wines have medium colour that quickly fades to tawny. Tends to lack fresh fruit. Compared with Nebbiolo. As with Nebbiolo, long lived and develop spice and earth with age. Some now make different styles - more deeply coloured and less tannic, some aged in new oak.
Describe the Nemea PDO. What is the grape used here?
In the North of the Peloponnese - close the the peninsula to mainland. Exclusively red wines from Agiorgitiko. Vineyards are spread from 230 to 900 m altitude.
Where is the best fruit in Nemea from? What are lower quality wines like and what are the best wines like?
Vineyards in middle of the latitude range. Fruit from hotter lower slopes can be overly jammy and is made into fruity early consumption wines. Fruit from higher lopes has higher acid and less fine tannins - can add freshness to blends but better for Rosé. Best wines have deep ruby colour with high smooth tannins, low to moderate acidity and sweet spice and red fruit. Great affinity for new oak and age well.
Describe the Santorini PDO and the wines produced.
Windswept volcanic island int he Aegean sea. Winds so strong they have to train vines into low basket shapes so fruit grows inside to protect them. PDO allows red and white wines in dry and swee styles but the white Assyrtiko wines have highest reputation. Dry wines with perfumed aromas and concentrated ripe citrus and stone, balanced by high acidity.
What is the other style of wine from Santorini?
Sweet wines known as Vinsanto made from late harvest grapes sun dried for up to 14 days. these are aged in old oak for min 2 years. Balanced by high acidity and older wines show oxidative character of caramel and nuts.
