Eastern Mediterranean Flashcards
Highest level of wine appellation in Greece, used mainly for sweet wines
OPE: Onomasia Proelefseos Eleghomeni
Highest level of wine appellation in Greece, used primarily for dry wines
OPAP: Onomasia Proelefseos Anoteras Poiotitos
Greek wine appellation for regional (PGI) wines
TO: Topikos Oinis
Greek wine appellation for traditional wines such as retsina
OKP: Onomasia Kata Paradosi
Main white grape used in the PDO wines of Santorini
Assyrtiko
Red grape of Greece, widely grown in Macedonia, used in the wines of the Naoussa OPAP
Xinomavro
Red grape used in the wines of the Nemea OPAP
Agiorgitiko
Red grape used in the sweet wines of Patras
Mavrodaphne
Term used for Greek wines with a minimum standard of aging
Cava or Kava
Greek term for “aged in barrel”
Palaiomenos se vareli
Dried-grape wine produced in Santorini
Vinsanto
Style of wine produced in the Mantinia OPAP
Dry white, from Moschofilero
Style of wine produced in the Nemea OPAP
Dry to sweet reds, from Agiogitiko
Style of wine produced in the Patras OPAP
Dry whites, from Roditis
Term used for basket-shaped vines as grown on Santorini
Stefani
Famous fortified wine of Cyprus
Commandaria
Two main grape varieties of Commandaria
Mavro (red)
Xynisteri (white)
Aging system (using earthenware jars) traditionally used for Commandaria
The mana system
Main vineyard region of Lebanon
Bekaa Valley
Lebanon’s leading (and most famous) winery
Chateau Musar
Five major wine regions of Israel
Galilee Shomron (Samaria) Shimson (Samson) Jerusalem Mountains (Judean Hills) Negev
What affected winegrowing in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is considered to have begun prior to recorded history?
War, and in some cases, religious influences that restrain the use of alcohol
What country’s winegrowing did continue?
Greece
How far back does wine date back to in Greece?
4000 years
Why did Greek wines disappear from the international market during the Middle Ages?
Previously Greek wines were exported all over the Western world in ancient times, but Ottoman rulers placed heavy taxes on wines that were sold to outsiders which crippled the industry.
Up until the late 20th century, what was the only Greek wine known to consumers?
Retsina
What is Retsina?
Greek wine that is flavored with Pine Resin
Why was pine resin added to wine in Greece?
It was used as a preservative and a means of preventing oxidation
Does modern retsina still use pine resin?
Yes, even though it isn’t essential – it is considered a tradition
What did retsina reinforce to the majority of wine consumers?
That Greek wines were outdated and poorly made
What is the general style of modern Greek wines?
Clean, fresh, and lively
What caused increasing numbers of well-crafted Greek wines to hit the market?
New generation of modern winemakers, combined with Greece’s entry into the EU.
Where is Greece?
Southeastern EUrope, south of Albania, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Consists primarily of mountainous peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean Sea. Geographically, it resembles an outstretched hand reaching into the water.
What is to the west of Greece?
Across the Ionian Sea, the tip of the Italian Peninsula
What is to the east of Greece?
Across the Aegean Sea – Turkey
How many islands are in Greece?
Over 3000
Where are most of the islands of Greece?
Most are in the Aegean Sea, although some are in the Ionian
What does the upper part of the Greek peninsula comprise?
The political and historical areas of Thrace, Macedonia, Epirus, and Thessalia. Farther south is the region of Attica and the capital city, Athens. Not far from Athens, the almost insular Peloponnese Peninsula clings onto the rest of Greece at the narrow Isthmus of Corinth.
What region has the highest concentration of vineyards in all of Greece?
Peloponnese
What is the climate of Greece?
Mediterranean, with slight temperature variations from north to south and substantial differences due to elevation.
What causes the eastern side of the peninsula of Greece to be drier than the Ionian side?
High mountains that run the length of the country, especially along the western side, block much of the rainfall and cause a rain shadow effect
What makes Greece a natural country for viticulture?
The warm, sunny Mediterranean climate
Where are vines planted in Greece?
Throughout the mainland and on almost every habitable island
What is the trend in new plantings in Greece?
Toward hillside vineyards at higher elevations, some above 2500 ft (760 m), in order to take advantage of cooler temperatures
How many cataloged indigenous grapes are in Greece?
Over 300
Standout 3 reds of Greece
Xinomavro
Agiorgitiko
Mavrodaphne
Alternate name for Xinomavro
Xynomavro
What is Xinomavro?
Red variety of the northern areas of Greece, especially Macedonia, that is often compared to Pinot Noir
What is Agiorgitiko?
Distinguished red variety grown mainly in the Peloponnese, making more tannic and fruitier wines than Xinomavro
What is Mavrodaphne?
Red grape used mainly for sweet fortified wines similar in style to ruby Ports
What are the most respected white varieties of Greece?
Moschofilero Assyrtiko Muscat Athiri Roditis
Alternate names for Assyrtiko
Asyrtiko
Assyrtico
Alternate name for Muscat in Greece
Moschato
What is Moschofilero?
Pink grape akin to Pinot Gris that comes from the Mantinia region of the Peloponnese It has high acidity with floral and spicy aromas
What is Assyrtiko?
High-acid white variety originally from Santorini but now found throughout the country. Assyrtiko is used for dry and sweet white wines.
What is Moschato/Muscat in Greece?
Well-known ancient variety found throughout the Mediterranean; almost always used for sweet wines such as Muscat of Samos, as well as those from Rio Patras and Patras. Muscat often produces wines with notes of apricot, honey, orange peel, and spice
What is Athiri?
White grape grown in Rhodes and Santorini that provides wines with low acidity, good weight, and high aromatics
What is Roditis?
One of the most widely planted white grapes in the nation that produces easy-drinking white wines with crisp, fruity flavors
What international varieties are common in Greece?
Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Syrah
What international variety has made significant inroads in Greece, particularly on the mainland?
Syrah
Are international varieties seen at the PDO level in Greece?
Rarely as they are generally considered to be nontraditional
Does Greece follow the EU model for wine laws?
Yes, although the division in quality wines is less qualitative and more stylistic
What are the two levels of Greece’s PDO?
OPE - onomasia proelefseos eleghomeni
OPAP - onomasia proelefseos anoteras poiotitos
What is OPE?
Controlled appellation of origin
Considered to be the top level, because it is “controlled” (reminiscent of the “guarantee” of Italy’s DOCG) but the eight OPEs all produce sweet wines only
How many OPEs in Greece? What do they produce?
8; Sweet wines
How are OPE wines designated?
With a light blue seal placed over the bottle opening
What is OPAP?
Appellation of origin of superior quality
Quality level primarily for dry, unfortified wines.
How many OPAPs are there in Greece?
20; five of which have separate qppellations for red and white
How are OPAP wines designated?
With a light red seal placed over the bottle opening
What do OPAP and OPE equate to?
EU’s Protected Designation of Origin
How are most new bottles of wines produced under OPE and OPAP labelled?
PDO Wines of Greece; this is especially true for wines intended for export
How much of Greece’s national production is PDO level?
About 15%
What are the two levels equivalent to PGI in Greece?
Topikos oinos
Onomasia kata paradosi
What is TO?
Regional wine
Category for wine with a geographic indication, which equates to PGI Status
How many PGI designations are there in Greece?
over 100
What do the regional designations correspond to in Greece?
The major regions of Greece, such as Crete, Thessalia, and Peloponnese; the districts or “regional units” were formerly known as “prefectures.” The smalles PGI designations – the areas – may be as small as a single estate
What is the former name of districts or “regional units” in Greece?
Prefectures
What is OKP?
Appellation by tradition
Special subcategory that was created to protect the traditional wines of Greece without tying them to a particular geographic area.
What is included in OKP?
Well-known resinated wine Retsina, and Verdea, and oxidative white wine
What is Verdea?
A traditional wine of Greece that is an oxidative white wine
What is EO?
epitrapezios oinos
Table Wine
Basic wine
How much of Greece’s total production is EO?
Approximately 1/2
Can Reserve/Grand Reserve be used on all Greek wines?
No, it is only for PDO level wines that meet the requirements
Reserve requirements Greece
White and Rose that are aged for a minimum of six months in oak and an additional three months in bottle
Red wines that are aged for a minimum of two years of aging, with at least one year in oak
Grand Reserve requirements Greece
White and Rose that are aged for a minimum of two years, one of which must be in oak
Red wines that are aged for a total of four years, including a minimum of 18 months in oak
What does cava or kava mean on a Greek wine label?
It has nothing to do with sparkling wine, and instead refers to aging.
Requirements for cava or kava in Greece
White/Rose - 1 yr aging with 6 mos in oak
Red - 3 yrs aging with 1 yr in oak
Wines that have exceeded the requirements for cava/kava, reserve, or grand reserve can be labelled what?
palaiomenos se vareli (aged in barrel)
Why are many of the exciting quality wines of Greece found at the TO or even EO level?
Similar to the story with Super Tuscans, many of Greece’s modern winemakers are dissatisfied with the limitations of the appellation system and want to experiment with non-traditional varieties, blends of indigenous and international varieties, or unconventional blends of native varieties. So they make the wines they want to, and opt out of the higher designations.
What are the well-known regions of Macedonia
Amyndeon or Amyndai OPAP
Cotes de Meliton OPAP
Goumenissa OPAP
Naoussa OPAP
Amyndeon or Amyndaio OPAP
Dry to off-dry red and rose made from Xinomavro
Cotes de Meliton OPAP
Red and white wines from Greek and French varieties
Goumenissa OPAP
Dry red, from Xinomavro and Negoska
Naoussa OPAP
Dry to off-dry red from Xinomavro
What are the well-known regions of Peloponnese?
Mantinia OPAP
Mavrodaphne of Patras OPE
Nemea OPAP
Patras OPAP
Mantinia OPAP
Dry white from Moschofilero
Mavrodaphne of Patras OPE
Sweet fortified red from Mavrodaphne
Nemea OPAP
Dry to sweet reds from Agiorgitiko, which may be aged and have nice acidity and good aromatics
What is the largest red wine appellation in Greece?
Nemea OPAP
Patras OPAP
Dry whites from Roditis, which are elegant, light white wines with citrus aromas and flavors
What is the well-known appellation of the Aegean Islands?
Santorini OPAP
What type of island is Santorini?
Volcanic
What effect does the climate of Santorini have on vine training?
It is an extremely dry and windy climate that requires vines to be trained low to the ground to avoid being damaged. Vines are often trained in a basket or wreath shape known as a stefani.
What is a stefani?
Vine training shape in Greece that is basket or wreath shaped
What grape variety thrives in Santorini?
Assyrtiko, producing wines that have vibrant acidity and minerality and that develop a beautiful richness over time
Requirements for Santorini OPAP
Dry white wines produced with a minimum of 75% Assyrtiko, with Athiri and Aidani approved for the remainder
Vinsanto of Santorini
Dried grape wine produced under the Santorini OPAP. Typically unfortified and naturally sweet, although the production of fortified Vinsanto is also allowed.
Requirements of Vinsanto from Santorini
Must be barrel-aged for a minimum of two years, although many versions are aged much longer
Where is Cyprus?
Large island in the far-eastern Mediterranean
Cyprus is currently divided politically between what two factions?
Greek and Turkish
What is Cyprus primarily known for?
Commandaria
What is Commandaria?
Sweet amber-colored dessert wine with an ancestry dating back 4 millennia that is made using a blend of red Mavro and white Xynisteri varieties.
2 grape varieties of Commandaria
Mavro (red)
Xynisteri (white)
How is Commandaria made?
It is sun-dried after harvest in order to evaporate some of the water content. Commandaria generally reacheds high levels of alcohol via natural fermentation and is somethimes also fortified.
What is the aging system for Commandaria?
Similar to the solera system of Jerez, but utilizing earthenware jars instead of barrels
What is the aging system of Commandaria called?
Mana System, which is still used by some traditional producers today
What is true about Turkey?
It is a relatively Islamic state with one foot in Europe and the other in Asia
How does Turkey rank in terms of grape production?
One of the largest grape-growing countreis in teh world by volume, but the vast majority of the grapes are eaten fresh or as raisins
Are Turkey’s wines commonly exported?
No, most of Turkey’s wines are rarely seen outside the country, although its largest producer, Kavaklidere, does export internationally
What is Turkey’s largest producer?
Kavaklidere
Is Turkey a current member of the EU?
No, Turkey began access negotiations in 2005, and is currently an official candidate
Why are Turkey’s wine laws likely to radically change in the future?
They are applying to be an EU member
Who currently administers Turkey’s wine laws and regulations?
Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Council
Where would you find Turkey’s basic wine law that includes a basic set of viticultural standards?
In the country’s “Law of Agricultural Insurance” that was written in 2005
When was Wines of Turkey founded?
2008
What does Wines of Turkey do?
Spearheads the efforts concerning the modernization and regulation of the wine industry. These projects include the definition of specific wine regions (separate from the country’s current agricultural regions), standards for vineyard yield, and a database of authorized grape varieties
Why is it not suprising that there is a small wine community in Lebanon?
It is a multicultural country with a sizable Christian minority and a long connection with the French
Where are most of the vineyards of Lebanon located?
Most of the vineyards are located at fairly high elevations in the western Bekaa Valley to take advantage of nighttime cooling, although some producers are experimenting with areas in the eastern Bekaa Valley as well as in Batroun and Jezzine
What producer is most of Lebanon’s reputation built around?
Chateau Musar, although a handful of other producers are gaining recognition as well
Grape varieties of Lebanon
International grapes (mainly French) are grown in most regions, as well as a handful of ancient, indigenous varieties such as Obeideh and Merwah (both white)
What is the Union Vinicole du Liban?
Viticultural Union of Lebanon
Founded in 1997, it is leading the efforts to formulate a comprehensive modern wine law for Lebanon
When were the wine laws of Lebanon passed?
The previous set had been in place since 1938, but a new set was passed in 2000
What is Lebanon’s current wine laws loosely based on?
France’s AOC system
What do Lebanon’s current wine laws do?
Outline many of the significant elements of wine production, including regions of origin, labeling terminology, and viticultural practices
Why has Israel worked so hard to develop its wine industry?
Wine is an integral part of the Jewish tradition
What challenges has Israel faced in terms of developing a wine industry?
Desert heat
Insufficient water
Periodic warfare
What is true about the climate in Israel?
Despite its small size, there are significant differences in the climate from north to south
What are the 5 major wine-producing regions of Israel?
Galilee Shomron (Samaria) Shimshon (Samson) Jerusalem Mountains (Judean Hills) Negev
Subregions of the Galilee region
Golan Heights
Upper Galilee
Lower Galilee
Galilee region
Located in the north of the country – this is the most important region, where the elevation and the slightly higher latitude combine to provide the country’s most temperate climate
Shomron (Samaria) region
Shomron region includes the Sharon Plain located near the Mediterranean coast, just south of the city of Haifa
Shimshon (Samson) region
Located between the Judean Hills and the Coastal Plain
Jerusalem Mountains (Judean Hills)
Located on a plateau in the Judean Hills between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea, surrounds the city of Jerusalem
Negrev region
In the southern part of the country, it is a semi-arid desert region. Viticulture here is made possibly by drip irrigation
Does Israel have an appellation system?
No, it has only the beginnings of one
Will Israel follow more the EU or New World model of wine laws?
Probably the New World pattern of regulating only truth-in-labeling rather than mandating grape varieties or production techniques
What has caused the evolution of the Israeli wine industry over the last 30 years?
More emphasis being placed on understanding its various terroirs and climates, along with a focus on improving quality. Additionally, bringing New World winemaking techniques to the winery has further enhanved Israeli wine production, while simultaneously placing the winemakers’ stamps on their respective wines
What is the majority of Israeli wine destined for?
Relgious services or Orthodox Jewish consumers and is therefore made as kosher wine
Is all Israeli wine kosher?
No, especially not the wines made by small boutique wineries. The nonkosher market is growing, particularly in the expot market, as teh quality of Israeli wines is becoming recognized around the world
