GR: Peloponnese, Ionians, Aegean Flashcards
What type of tree is mandated for use in production of Retsina?
Aleppo Pine aka Pinus Halepensis
(Pinus halepensis)
Retsina grapes
Savatiana
Roditis
What is Kokkineli?
“little red”
Including:
- Retsina rosé made from pink-skinned Roditis
- light hued Xinomavro or other varieties
coschenille = red dye
What are Greek Grand Cru dessert wines required to be fortified with?
Tsipouro aka Greek grappa
Term for Greek grappa
Tsipouro
Asproudi
A generic Greek term for white grapes
What types of Greek wine can qualify as a Grand Cru?
Sweet wines - Vin Doux Naturel only
2 names for Santorini’s traditional vine training method?
Kouloura
Stefani
Greek term for “estate”?
Ktima
Liatiko
- name/characteristics
- PDOs
RED - indigenous to Crete. Very early ripener (names means July); low tannin acid color
* Crete
* Daphne (as a varietal wine)
* Sitia (blended with Mandilaria)
* Malvasia Sitia, Malvasia Candia - vinified as a white and blended
Most planted red on Santorini? Typical blending partners?
Mandilaria #1
Typically blended with Mavrotragano
Only Greek PDO to feature varietal Mandilaria?
Rhodes PDO
(dry red, rosé, sparkling)
[Mandilaria has thick skin - high anthocyanin, polyphenols, color. Alas… rarely breaks 13%. Lacks body. Kotsifali is a pale but common blender to bring ABV]
What body of water separates the Peloponnese from Greece’s mainland?
Gulf of Corinth
Peloponnese climate
Hot Mediterranean EXCEPT the continental center - Arcadia PGI/Mantinia PDO
Peloponnese’s PDO for dry wines (3)
- Mantinia PDO: min 85% Moscofilero
- Nemea PDO: 100% Agiorgitiko
- Patras PDO: 100% Roditis
Peloponnese 4 PDO for sweet styles of wine
- Mavrodaphne of Patras
- Muscat of Rio Patras
- Muscat of Patras
- Monemvasia-Malvasia
Blood of Hercules wine
Agiorgitiko from Nemea
NEMEA PDO
- where
- terrain
- grapes/styles
- name 3 crus
PELOPONNESE
100% Agiorgitiko: Dry, semi-sweet, VDN, VDL, passito
- TERRAIN: flat, hilly to mountain. 200 - 800M.
- CLIMATE: Mediterranean. Aegean Sea influence.
Agrioritiko = St. George’s Grape; Blood of Hercules. Nemea is only PDO to feature it.
CRUs: Nemea, Aidonia, Ancient Nemea, Ancient Kleones, Galatas, Daphne, Kastraki, Koutsi, Leonti and, Petri
Megas Oenos
Skouras’ “Super Greek” Agiorgitiko + Cab Sauv blend from Nemea
Koutsi: where is it, what is it?
Nemea PDO
- Agiorgitiko
- one of the more famous crus
- limestone-rich soils at 650M
- Gaia’s headquarters are here
MANTINIA PDO
- location
- terrain
- climate
- grapes/styles
Arcadia district of Peloponnese
- TERRAIN: Valley floor sits at 700M+, rises into foothills of mountains. 20m from Aegean.
- CLIMATE: Continental (cause elevation)
GRAPES/STYLES: min 85% Moschofilero
- Dry & Vin Gris/Skin Contact-style
- Sparkling - all sweetness levels
PATRAS PDO
- location
- grapes/styles
- climate/terrain
Peloponnese (north coast). 1 of 4 Patras PDO.
- TERRAIN: coastal to mountain, up to 900M+
- CLIMATE: Mediterranean
GRAPES/STYLES
100% Roditis. Dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet
(up to 45 g/l RS)
[the other 3 Patras PDO are for VDN/VDL styles based on Monemvasia, Mavrodaphne, and Moschato Aspro]
What winery is credited with creating Mavrodaphne of Patras as a style?
Achaia Clauss, 1861
* inspired by the Port wines of the Douro
MAVRODAPHNE OF PATRAS PDO
- grapes, styles
- ABV range
Peloponnese (north coast). 1 of 4 Patras PDO.
- TERRAIN: coastal to mountain, up to 900M+
- CLIMATE: Mediterranean
GRAPES/STYLES
Fortified. VDL, 2 ways. 15 - 22%
Min. 51% Mavrodaphne, max. 49% Korinthiaki
1. Natural sweet red wine: VDL made with dried grapes
OR
2. Vin de Liqueur (non-dried grapes but with additional must)
Muscat of Patras and Muscat of Rio Patras are made from what type of Muscat? Styles of each?
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
aka Moschato Aspro
VDL - fortified pre-fermentation
VDN - fortified during fermentation
Dried fruit - passito
What Peloponnese PDO’s qualify for Grand Cru designation? What styles of wine qualify?
Muscat of Patras
Muscat of Rio Patras
**VDN only, from selected vineyards
[no GC for Mavrodaphne or Monemvasia of Patras]
Domaine Mercouri
Peloponnese
One of Greece’s best estates, est 1864
- Planted Refosco which is known locally as .. Mercouri
- closed in 1960, revived by family in 1985
- indigenous Greeks, French grapes, and Italian
- bottles under PGI Letrina & PGI Ilia
MONEMVASIA-MALVASIA PDO
- location
- terrain/climate
- grapes/styles
- aging
Peloponnese (north coast). 1 of 4 Patras PDO.
- TERRAIN: coastal to mountain, up to 900M+
- CLIMATE: Mediterranean
GRAPES/STYLES:
Min. 51% Monvemvasia + Assyrtiko, Kydonitsa, Asproudes
* Naturally sweet white (vin liastos/sun-dried)
* VDN WHITE
- fortification is an option, but the grapes must be dried for either style. Ages in an oxidative environment for a min 2 years. Aging options are 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, etc (mult of 4)
General climate of the Ionian islands?
Mediterranean - however, milder than the rest of the country and the rainiest
(thus, fungal infection is a regular concern)
Cephalonia
- location
- PDOs
- climate
- major producers
IONIAN ISLANDS (only island w PDOs)
- 3 PDO: Muscat, Mavrodaphne, Robolo of Cephalonia
- CLIMATE: Mediterranean. Mountains everywhere.. elevation keeps the dry Robola PDO fresh
Sclavos, Gentilini (notable Robola PDO producers)
1953 earthquake devastated the island’s viticulture
PDOs in the Ionian Islands (3)
- Robola of Cephalonia PDO (dry)
- Muscat of Cephalonia PDO (sweet)
- Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia PDO (sweet)
- sweet PDO are VDN (Grand Cru opt.), VDL, Natural sweet/dried
What Ionian PDO have Grand Cru?
- Muscat of Cephalonia PDO
- Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia PDO
Others:
Peloponnese:
3. Muscat of Rio Patras, 4. Muscat of Patras
Dodacanese:
5. Muscat of Rhodes
Tsaousi and Moschatella are widely planted where?
Cephalonia
Verdea
- where
- grapes
- significance
Zakynthos in the Ionian Islands
- one of 2 traditional PGI
- min. 50% Skiapouloudo - white grape with high sugar, mod. acidity
- commonly blended with Pavlos, Robola, Goutsolidi
- dry, high alcohol, oxidative tone from oak aging
rare
Skiapouloudo
significant to Verdea PGI - most planted variety
* commonly blended with Pavlos, Robola, Goutsolidi
* Verdea = traditional styel of Zakynthos. Oxidative, oak aged wine with high ABV and acidity
Cyclades are located in what body of water?
South Aegean
Traditional name for Santorini?
Thera
Santorini PDO islands of production?
Thera (Santorini) and Thirasia
Santorini PDO grapes + styles?
- Dry white: Min. 85% Assyrtiko + Aidani, Athiri
- Vinsanto (dried, unfortified): Min. 51% Assyrtiko + Aidani, Athiri
- Fortified Vinsanto - legal but not practiced
PDO ITSELF DOES NOT MAKE RED WINE OF ANY STYLE. THOSE EXIST OUTSIDE THE PDO. Cyclades PGI
Santorini Vinsanto
- grapes
- styles
- aging
An unfortified sweet wine made from dried grapes
* Min. 51% Assyrtiko + Aidani, Athiri with “small amounts” of other locals
* a fortified version is legal but not made
* Aging: min. 2 years in barrel
* * If released with age statement rather than vintage… must age at least 4yrs. Age statements come in multiples of 4
Assyrtiko’s common blending partners in Santorini?
Athiri
Aidani
Greek Vinsanto vs. Italy Vin Santo?
In regards to Vinsanto in Santorini, the Venetians historically traded VIno Santorini across the Mediterranean sea. Over time this was shortened to vinsanto.
The spelling difference is enforced by the EU after Greece joined in 1981. Italy beat them to the punch in 1958.
**basically, make sure you answer the right Vinsanto/Vin Santo in exam
Nykteri
Historical product of Santorini
* very ripe grapes are picked before dawn and pressed same day
* ages 3 months in barrel, sometimes developing flor
Santorini PDO red wines?
Non-existent
* Reds occur outside the PDO - Mavrotragano sometimes blended with Mandilaria
* Mezza = air-dried Mandilaria dessert wine
Name for the small home wineries on Santorini?
Kanava
Important Santorini wineries?
- Santo - co-op; was the only commercial producer from 1947 until 1970ish
- Hatzidakis - was Boutari winemaker
- Boutari - 1st important outside investment, 1989
- Gaia
- Sigalas
Santorini soils?
Volcanic basalt atop metamorphosed limestone and schist
Phylloxera on Santorini?
None - not enough clay in the soils.
* Volcanic basalt atop metamorphosed limestone and schist
** no phylloxera = VERY old root systems
Traditional Santorini vine training and what’s the purpose?
Kouloura / Stefani
- protect from wind
- collect moisture from morning dew/fog in this dry dry dry place
Late summer Santorini wind? Negative effects?
Meltemi (“year of bad weather”)
- blows very dry air from NW during day, NE at night
- mid-May to late September
- pronounced effect on Santorini/Aegean
Cons:
* disrupts fruit set
* disrupts photosynthesis
Most important grapes on Santorini?
WHITES:
#1 Assyrtiko (80% of total plantings)
Athiri and Aidani
REDS:
Mandilaria, Mavrotragano
PAROS
- where/climate
- PDOs
- grapes/styles
Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea.
Mediterranean, Extremely hot, dry but more humid and less windy than Santorini. NOT volcanic - sand, loam, limestone.
GRAPES/STYLES:
1. Paros PDO
- Dry White: Monemvasia
- Dry Red: Min. 35% Mandilaria + Monemvasia co-ferment (only PDO-approved r/w co-ferment)
- Malvasia of Paros PDO
- Sun-dried grapes - natural or fortified
Min. 85% Monemvasia + max. 15% Assyrtiko
Cyclades Island’s PDO’s? (3)
- Santorini PDO: Assyrtiko-based whites/vinsanto
- Paros PDO: Monemvasia whites + Mandilaria/Monemvasia co-ferment reds
- Malvasia of Paros PDO: min. 85% Monemvasia
Dodecanese PDOs? (2)
- Rhodes PDO
*whites/sparkling from min. 70% Athiri
*reds/rosé from min. 70% Mandiliaria + Mavrothiriko - Muscat of Rhodes PDO
*rare; VDN, VDL, Passito, VDN Grand Cru
Most important island for viticulture in the Dodecanese? Where are we here?
Rhodes - contains 2 PDO
A group of 12 islands east of the Cyclades, near the Turkish coast
RHODES PDO
Dodacanese // Aegean Island.
- TERRAIN: mountainous; Mt. Atavyros dominates the landscape.
- CLIMATE: Med. One of Greece’s sunniest, driest climates.
- SOILS: sand, clay, limestone
W/R/R/Sparkling - dry to sweet
- min. 70% Athiri and Mandilaria
- Assyrtiko, Malagousia, Mavrothiriko
“Greek Champagne” - CAIR (coop est 1928) is the main producer
CRETE
- location
- terrain/features
- soils
- main grapes
- 4 districts
Southern edge of Aegean Sea. Libyan Sea to the south.
- TERRAIN: most vineyards are on north side; sheltered by mountains from hot African wind. Up to 900M
- SOILS: limestone mixed with clay
- GRAPES: Liatiko (sometimes blended w Mandilaria, Athiri, Vilana
4 districts: Hania, Rethmyno, Iraklio, Lasithi
Ancient name for Crete
Candia
Crete soils?
Limestone mixed with clay - fairly fertile
5 PDO of Iraklio?
Iraklio is on the eastern side of Crete
Peza
Archanes
Daphne
Candia
Malvasia Candia
Name 3 Crete PDO (7 total)
Sitia PDO
Peza PDO
Daphnes PDO
Archanes PDO
Candia PDO
Malvasia Candia PDO
Malvasia Sitia PDO
Sitia PDO
- location
- soils
- main grapes/styles
Lasithi district in the far east of Crete
*limestone-rich soils
*very very hot and dry
*250 - 650M
*dry whites: min. 70% Vilana with Thrapsathiri
*dry reds: min. 80% Liatiko with Mandilaria
*dessert wines - 100% Liatiko, sun-dried and unfortified
2 Greek PDO that feature Malvasia?
Malvasia Sitia
Malvasia Candia
* both on Crete
* VDN or naturally sweet wine
What PDO is known for “Greek Champagne”?
Rhodes in the Dodacanese (in the Aegean)
*despite the hot, dry climate - they have a long history with Greek Champagne
*the local coop CAIR (est 1928) is the main producer
What 2 islands in the North Aegean feature PDOs for sweet Muscat?
Lemnos
Samos
Samos PDO
- location
- grapes, styles, ABV
- mountain, soils
AEGEAN ISLAND
- GRAPES/STYLES
Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains (aka Moschato Aspro; 95% of plantings)
* VDN, VDN Grand Cru, VDL, Passito
* 15 - 22% ABV
- TERRAIN: steep island with granitic soils, dominated by Mt Ampelos. Best vineyards tend to be on high elevation, north-facing slopes
[United Winemaking Agricultural Cooperative of Samos dominates productions. important PDO in regards to exports]
Lemnos
- location
- PDOs
North Aegean island
2 PDO: Muscat of Lemnos, Lemnos
GRAPES/STYLES:
Lemnos
- dry red Limnio (aka Kalambaki)
- dry to semi-sweet Muscat of Alexandria
Muscat of Lemnos
- Moschato Alexandria. Naturally sweet. VDN, VDL
** Grand Cru
SOILS: volcanic soils, limestone-rich
TERRAIN: flat hot and dry
[Samos is the other Aegean sweet wine island]
Ouzo
Made from grape pomace and always anise-flavored
*has its own PDO - made on the island of Lemnos
*min ABV 37.5%
1st commercial Ouzo distillery?
Tyrnavos, 1856
Agiorgitiko
Red grape
“St George’s Grape”
*planted primarily in the central Peloponnese and Attica
*sole variety of Nemea PDO
*deeply colored, elevated tannin and acid, soft plummy fruits, spice
Liatiko
Red Grape
Indigenous to Crete
*early ripener - sometimes in July
*star of Daphne PDO
*blended with Mandilaria in Sitia PDO
*plays minor role (vinified white) in Malvasia Sitia and Malvasia Candia PDO
*low tannin, light color, medium acidity, floral
Mandilaria
Red grape
*dark hue, high tannin and acid, low alcohol and aromatics
* star of Rhodes PDO
*most planted grape on Santorini - often blended with Mavrotragano
*typically blended with Liatiko and Kotsifali on Crete
*co-fermented with (white) Monemvasia on Paros
Mavrodaphne
*Ionian Islands and W. Peloponnese
*most prominently made as an oak-aged “Tawny style” sweet wine - or more akin to a Ruby Port
* Mavrodaphne of Patras and Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia are the 2 important places - blended with Corinthiaki in both places
*Dom Mercouri makes a dry Mavrodaphne blended with Refosco
Aidani
Planted on a handful of Aegean Islands - but Santorini is its point of origin
*drought tolerant
*adds weight, texture and pronounced floral aromatics to the Assyrtiko + Athiri blend
*behaves like Viognier
Malagousia
White grape
- a recent revival - thanks to Evangelos Gerovassiliou who was working at Porto Carras and took some cuttings
- Peloponnese, Thessaly, Macedonia
- success is mostly outside of PDO as it is a recent phenomenon
- Rhodes PDO - the one place that it is included as part of the blend
Medium to elevated acid, creamy texture, floral spicy nose similar to Muscat
Moschofilero
White grape
*Ionian Islands and the Peloponnese
*star of Mantinia PDO
*High-yielding and very late ripening
*elevated acid, light-to-mid body, floral and citric bouquet but not as heady as Muscat
PDO’s for Muscat of Alexandria in Greece?
Lemnos, Muscat of Lemnos
Robola
Ionian Islands - most notably in Cephalonia
- Sensitive to disease and drought - Ionians have just enough rain for it
- “Assyrtiko’s little brother”: high acid, elevated alcohol, minerality, neutral lemony character, prone to oxidation
- not related to Ribolla Gialla
- **Robola of Cephalonia **PDO
Roditis
- characteristics
- 3 PDO
2nd most planted Greek grape (thanks Retsina)
- pink-skinned, very vigorous, quite neutral
- Patras PDO - 100% Roditis. Dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet
- Blended with Assyrtiko and Athiri in Slopes of Meliton PDO
- Anchialos PDO - blended with Savatiano
Vidiano
Native to Crete
White grape
*retains acidity in extreme heat
*like a more acidic Marsanne
*notable PDO: Malvasia Candia, Malvasia Sitia, Candia
Vilana
Native to Crete - most planted grape on the island
White grape
*star of Peza PDO, part of the blend in the Sitia PDO
