General Greece Information COPY Flashcards
When did the vine arrive in Greece, and where?
Around 2500 BCE to Crete, to the Minoans
Where in France did the Greeks first spread vine cultivation?
Massalia, a Greek colony at present-day Marseille
What kind of pine resin is used for Retsina?
Aleppo
How is resin used now in Retsina?
Generally, it’s just flavored with it.
About how many indigenous Greek varieties are there?
More than 300
When did modern Greek wine laws start?
1969
What year were most Greek appellations established?
1971
Traditional sweet wines use what appellation level?
AOC/OPE
Dry wines use what appellation level?
AOSQ/OPAP
What is the large “umbrella” category for Greek appellation wines?
PDO Wines of Greece
White “Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?
1 year total
6 months in barrel
3 months in bottle
White “Grand Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?
2 years total
1 year in barrel
6 months in bottle
Red “Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?
2 years total
1 year in barrel
6 months in bottle
Red “Grand Reserve” wines indicate how long of an aging process? Barrel? Bottle?
4 years total
18 months in barrel
18 months in bottle
What category is below PDO?
PGI - Protected Geographical Indication
Arguably the two most well-known PGIs are what?
Retsina and Verdea
What is Verdea?
An oxidative white wine produced on the island of Zakynthos (in the Ionian sea).
What is Greece’s former Vin de Pays category?
Topikos Inos
What are the 3 levels of PGIs?
regional
district
area
What is minimum oak usage for rose and white Greek “Cava”?
6 months
What is minimum oak usage for red Greek “Cava”?
1 year
What phrase is on a Cava, Reserve, or Grand Reserve bottle to indicate oak aging beyond required minimums?
Palaiomenos se vareli
What’s the local name for Central Greece?
Sterea Ellada
What is largely made in Central Greece?
retsina
