Greece

Question 1

What is Retsina?

Answer 1

White wine made from Savvatiano grapes. Originally transported in amphorae sealed with pine resin. Today, it is flavored with resin. Cannot be vintage dated.

Question 2

Who are the highest volume wine producers in Greece?

Answer 2

Boutari and Tsantali

Question 3

When did Greece establish it’s wine laws and (most) of it’s appellations?

Answer 3

1969-1971

Question 4

When was Greek wine law refined? By who?

Answer 4

1980s. Greek Wine Institute.

Question 5

Does Greek wine law conform to EU standards? Which country are the laws modeled after?

Answer 5

Yes. Modeled after French wine law.

Question 6

What are the PDO levels in Greece?

Answer 6

• Controlled Appellation of Origin/ Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Eλεγχόμενης (AOC/OPE)
• Appellation of Superior Quality/ Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Ανωτέρας Ποιότητος (AOSQ/OPAP).

Question 7

Which quality status is reserved for sweet wines in Greece?

Answer 7

Controlled Appellation of Origin/ Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Eλεγχόμενης (AOC/OPE)

Question 8

What does “Reserve” mean on a bottle of PDO Greek wine?

Answer 8

Whites: Min 1 year of aging w/ at least 6 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle
Red: Min 2 years of aging w/ at least 1 year in barrel and 6 months in bottle

Question 9

What does “ Grand Reserve” mean on a bottle of PDO Greek wine?

Answer 9

Whites: Min 2 year of aging w/ at least 1 year in barrel and 6 months in bottle
Red: Min 4 years of aging w/ at least 18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle

Question 10

What does PGI stand for in Greek wine law? What are the quality levels?

Answer 10

Protected Geographical Indication:

• “Varietal” wines
• “Table” wines
• “Traditional” wines

Question 11

What are the wines under the “Traditional” wines category in Greece?

Answer 11

• Retsina

- Verdea

Question 12

What are the PGI zones levels from largest to smallest? What are they based on?

Answer 12

• regional (major regions)
• district (peripheral units - a form of political state)
• area (small areas - as small as a single estate)

Question 13

What does “Cava” mean on a bottle of PGI wine in Greece?

Answer 13

White and rosé: 1 year aging w/ 6 months in barrel

Red: 3 years aging w/ 1 year in barrel

Question 14

What does “Palaiomenos se vareli” mean on a bottle of Greek wine?

Answer 14

Aged beyond minimum required aging for “Cava”, “Reserve”, and “Grand Reserve”

Question 15

What are the regions in Greece?

Answer 15

• Macedonia
• Epirus
• Peloponnese
• Thessalia
• Thrace
• Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
• Aegean Islands
• Ionian Islands

Question 16

What are the PDOs of Macedonia?

Answer 16

Amynteo PDO
Goumenissa PDO
Naoussa PDO
Slopes of Meliton PDO

Question 17

What are the varietal requirements for Amynteo and Naossa PDO?

Answer 17

100% Xinomavro

Question 18

What are the varietal requirements for Goumenissa PDO?

Answer 18

Xinomavro w/ min 20% Negoska

Question 19

What is the coolest PDO in Greece?

Answer 19

Amynteo

Question 20

What is the southernmost PGO for Xinomavro?

Answer 20

Rapsani PDO (in Thessalia)

Question 21

What is the only PDO of Epirus? What grape and styles does it produce?

Answer 21

Zitsa. 100% Debina (high acid white). Dry, semisweet, and sparkling styles.