General Greece Information

Question 1

When did the vine arrive in Greece, and where?

Answer 1

Around 2500 BCE to Crete, to the Minoans

Question 2

Where in France did the Greeks first spread vine cultivation?

Answer 2

Massalia, a Greek colony at present-day Marseille

Question 3

What kind of pine resin is used for Retsina?

Answer 3

Aleppo

Question 4

How is resin used now in Retsina?

Answer 4

Generally, it’s just flavored with it.

Question 5

About how many indigenous Greek varieties are there?

Answer 5

More than 300

Question 6

When did modern Greek wine laws start?

Answer 6

1969

Question 7

What year were most Greek appellations established?

Answer 7

1971

Question 8

Traditional sweet wines use what appellation level?

Answer 8

AOC/OPE

Question 9

Dry wines use what appellation level?

Answer 9

AOSQ/OPAP

Question 10

What is the large “umbrella” category for Greek appellation wines?

Answer 10

PDO Wines of Greece

Question 11

White “Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?

Answer 11

1 year total
6 months in barrel
3 months in bottle

Question 12

White “Grand Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?

Answer 12

2 years total
1 year in barrel
6 months in bottle

Question 13

Red “Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?

Answer 13

2 years total
1 year in barrel
6 months in bottle

Question 14

Red “Grand Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?

Answer 14

4 years total
18 months in barrel
18 months in bottle

Question 15

What category is below PDO?

Answer 15

PGI - Protected Geographical Indication

Question 16

Arguably the two most well-known PGIs are what?

Answer 16

Retsina and Verdea

Question 17

What is Verdea?

Answer 17

An oxidative white wine produced on the island of Zakynthos (in the Ionian sea).

Question 18

What is Greece’s former Vin de Pays category?

Answer 18

Topikos Inos

Question 19

What are the 3 levels of PGIs?

Answer 19

regional
district
area

Question 20

What is minimum oak usage for rose and white Greek “Cava”?

Answer 20

6 months

Question 21

What is minimum oak usage for red Greek “Cava”?

Answer 21

1 year

Question 22

What phrase is on a Cava, Reserve, or Grand Reserve bottle to indicate oak aging beyond required minimums?

Answer 22

Palaiomenos se vareli

Question 23

What’s the local name for Central Greece?

Answer 23

Sterea Ellada

Question 24

What is largely made in Central Greece?

Answer 24

retsina

Question 25

What connects Peloponnese to mainland Greece?

Answer 25

Isthmus of Corinth

Question 26

What phrase is often on wines from Nemea, and what does it mean?

Answer 26

“Blood of Hercules” or “blood of the lion”

Commemorating first of Hercules twelve legendary labors.

Question 27

What does Mavrodaphne translate to?

Answer 27

Black Laurel

Question 28

What is the shape of Assyrtiko basket vines?

Answer 28

Stefani