Eastern Mediterranean

Question 1

What cripped the wine industry in Greece in ancient times?

Answer 1

The Ottoman rule stated that wines were to be heavily taxed if sold outside the local area where they produced. This cippled the industry that was thriving during the Middle ages.

Question 2

What is retsina?

Answer 2

A wine infused with pine resin that Greece is known for.

Question 3

What has helped initiate a “wine renaissance” in Greece in the last couple decades?

Answer 3

A new generation of modern winemakers and Greece’s entry into the EU.

Question 4

Which region has the highest concentration of vineyards of all of Greece?

Answer 4

The Peloponnese

Question 5

What is the new ttrend in planting grapes in Greece?

Answer 5

Planting toward hillside vineyards at higher elevations to take advantage of cooler temperatures.

Question 6

What are the two standout red grapes in Greece?

Answer 6

Xynomavro (a red variety of the northern areas, especially Macedonia, that is often compared to Pinot Noir)
Agiorgitiko (grown mainly in the Peloponnese making more tannic and fruity wines than Xynomavro)

Question 7

What is another well-known red grape variety of Greece that is used mainly for sweet fortified wines?

Answer 7

Mavrodaphne

Question 8

What are the three most respected white varieties of Greece?

Answer 8

Moschofilero (a pink grape akin to Pinot Gris that comes from the Mantinia region of the Peleponnese)
Assyrtiko (a high acid white originally from Santorini but now throughout the country used for dry and sweet whites)
Muscat (or Moschato, almost always used for sweet wines)

Question 9

What pink skinned grape is grown primarily in the Peleponnese and vinified into both white and rose wines?

Answer 9

Roditis

Question 10

What two categories do quality wines of Greece fall into?

Answer 10

OPE (producing sweet wines only)

OPAP (primarily for dry, non-fortified wines)

Question 11

What do OPE and OPAP equate to? How much do they produce of Greece’s total national production?

Answer 11

They equate to the new designation Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and account for only 15% of total production.

Question 12

What three categories are under the quality wines of Greece?

Answer 12

TO (topikos oinos: “regional wine” which equates to PGI)
OKP (onomasia kata paradosi “appellation by tradition” which is a special subcategory equivalent to TO created chiefly to protect retsina without tying it to a specific geographic area)
EO (epitrapezios oinos “table wine” which is basic wine and accounts for about half of Greece’s total production)

Question 13

What does the Greek term cava or “kava” refer to?

Answer 13

Table wine (EO) that has been aged for a minimum of two years (white wines) or three years (red wines)

Question 14

What are 7 of the best known/respected Greek appellations?

Answer 14

Amyndeon (or Amyndaio OPOP in Macedonia), Cotes de Meliton OPOP (Macedonia), Mantinia OPAP (Peloponnese), Mavrodaphne of Patros OPE (Peloponnese), Naousa (or Nauossa OPOP in Macedonia), Nemea OPAP (Peloponnese), Patras OPAP (Peloponnese)

Question 15

What does Amyndeon OPAP produce?

Answer 15

dry to off-dry red and roses made from Xynomavro

Question 16

Which appellation in Macedonia makes red and white wines from Greek and French varieties?

Answer 16

Cotes de Meliton OPAP

Question 17

What does Mantinia OPAP produce?

Answer 17

dry white from Moschofilero

Question 18

Which OPE from the Peloponnese produces sweet reds from Mavrodaphne?

Answer 18

Mavrodaphne of Petras OPE

Question 19

In the Peloponnese, what OPAP produces a dry to sweet red from Agiorgitiko and which produces a dry white from Roditis?

Answer 19

Nemea produces the dry to sweet red from Agiorgitiko and Patras produces the dry white from Roditis.

Question 20

What does Naousa OPAP produce?

Answer 20

A dry to off-dry red from Xynomavro

Question 21

Which historic wine puts Cyprus on the map?

Answer 21

Commandaria - a sweet amber colored dessert wine made using sun-dried graped (from red Mavro and white Xynisteri varieties).

Question 22

Is Commandaria a fortified wine?

Answer 22

It can be, but not always. It is aged in a solera-type system.

Question 23

Which one producer is the wine industry of Lebanon based largely upon?

Answer 23

Chateau Musar

Question 24

Does Turkey have any vineyards?

Answer 24

Yes. They are actually the 4th largest grapegrowing country in the world, but most are eaten fresh or as raisins. Its wines are rarely seen outside the country.

Question 25

What is the most significant winegrowing zone in Isreal?

Answer 25

Galilee in the north and the slightly higher latitude and elevation area of Golan Heights.

Question 26

What is the vast majoirty of Israeli wine production destined for?

Answer 26

Religious services or Orthodox Jewish consumers. This means the majority of wine is made kosher. The US is the primary export market for Israeli wines.

Question 27

What are the 7 regions of Greece from North to South?

Answer 27

Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, Thessalia, Central Greece, Peloponnese, Crete