Grèce

Question 1

What is the climate of Greece?

Answer 1

HOT MEDITERRANEAN.
In the summer, temperatures can reach well over 30°, although
coastal areas tend to be moderated by the sea. Altitude
and wind can also have a cooling effect.
Rainfall levels vary, but even in the wetter areas in the
west of the country, the almost complete lack of rain in
the growing season can cause water stress;

Question 2

Which seas bracket Greece?

Answer 2

Ionian Sea – western side

Mediterranean Sea – southern side

Aegean Sea – eastern side

Question 3

Eastern continental Greece is in a rain shadow.

What weather event can happen due to the rain shadow combined with the hot Mediterranean climate and lack of rainfall?

Answer 3

Drought can be a problem in eastern Greece due to the lack of rainfall, all the sunshine from the rain shadow, and the hot Mediterranean climate.

Question 4

What is the name of the mountain range that creates the rain shadow on Greece’s mainland?

Answer 4

Pindos Oros

Question 5

Which countries abut Greece’s northern border?

Answer 5

From west to east:

Albania
North Macedonia
Bulgaria
Turkey

Question 6

What are the grape varieties in Greece?

Answer 6

There are over 200 grape varieties native to Greece, very few of
which are grown elsewhere. These varieties are well adapted to survive in the arid, hot conditions found in Greece and many can produce high-quality wines.
There are some plantings of both black and white international grape varieties but most PDO wines require the use of native varieties .

Question 7

What are the classification levels of wine in Greece?

Answer 7

The wine laws of Greece follow those of other EU countries, with wines classified as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

Question 8

Sometimes you’ll see Appellation d’origine de qualité supérieure on a bottle Greek wine.

What is this?

Answer 8

A subcategory within the PDO classification Greek winemakers can use for their dry wines exported to other markets.

Question 9

What are the three Greek PDOs that have the highest international reputation (and that you need to know for the exam)?

Answer 9

Naoussa PDO (Xinomavro)
Nemea PDO (Agiorgitiko)
Santorini PDO (Assyrtiko)

Question 10

In which region is Naoussa PDO?

Answer 10

Macedonia (northern Greece)

Question 11

Altitude in Naoussa PDO goes about how high?

Answer 11

400 meters

Question 12

Naoussa PDO is best known for what style of wine made from which grape?

Answer 12

Dry, red wines made from XINOMAVRO.
It has high levels of tannin and acidity and its wines have traditionally had a medium colour that quickly fades to tawny and they tend to lack fresh fruit aromas even in their youth.
These wines are long-lived and can develop complex spice and earthy aromas with age.
Many compare this grape to Nebbiolo

Question 13

The Peloponnese is best known for this PDO.

Answer 13

Nemea PDO

Question 14

What is the red grape in Nemea PDO?

Answer 14

Agiorgitiko

Question 15

What is the vineyard altitude range found in Nemea PDO?

Answer 15

230 - 900 meters.
The best fruit comes from the vineyards in the middle of this range. Fruit from the hotter lower slopes can be overly jammy and tends to be made into fruity wines for early consumption. The fruit from the higher slopes has a higher acidity and lessfine tannins. It can add freshness to a red blend but it is best suited to rosé production.

Question 16

What style of wine made from Agiorgitiko?

Answer 16

The best wines have a deep ruby colour with high levels of smooth tannins, low to moderate acidity and sweet spice and red fruit flavours.
These wines have a great affinity for new oak and age well.

Question 17

In which sea is the Greek island of Santorini?

Answer 17

Aegean Sea

Question 18

What is the main soil type on Santorini?

Answer 18

Santorini is a windswept VOLCANIC island in the Aegean Sea

Question 19

What is the principal white grape for Santorini PDO?

Answer 19

Assyrtiko

Question 20

What styles of wine are allowed to be made in the Santorini PDO?

Answer 20

The PDO covers red and white wines made in dry and sweet styles, but it is the white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape that have the highest reputation.
Dry wines from Assyrtiko display perfumed aromas and concentrated
flavours of ripe citrus and stone fruit, balanced by the natural high acidity of the variety .

Question 21

What are sweet wines known as on Santorini?

Answer 21

VINSANTO.
Late-harvested grapes are sun-dried for up to 14 days.
The wines are then aged in old oak barrels for a minimum of two years, although many producers age their wine for far longer.
The luscious sweetness is balanced by high acidity and the older wines show a marked oxidative character of caramel and nuts.

Question 22

Vines on Santorini are trained into a specific shape.

What is the shape into which the vines are trained?

What are the vines protected from?

Answer 22

The winds are so strong that a unique training method has to be used here to protect the vines. The permanent wood is trained very low into a basket shape and the fruit grows on the inside.