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Greece Flashcards

1
Q

Modern Greek wine culture (Estate-produced, high quality) dates back to when?

A

1970s and 1980s

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2
Q

What spurred on Greek exports in recent past?

A

Financial crisis of 2008 = drop in domestic consumption, producers had to look for exports

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3
Q

Latitude of Greek vineyards

A

Between 34-42N

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4
Q

Greek climate

A

Generally Mediterranean
Long hot summers
Short mild winters

(more continental inland)

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5
Q

Santorini is part of what island group?

A

Cyclades

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6
Q

Rain levels in Greece

A

Varies widely
Santorini is extremely dry
Average in other regions 400-700mm
Little/no rain during growing season
Water stress a problem = irrigation

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7
Q

Greek soils high or low fertility?

A

Mostly low fertility; yields low
Except on the fertile plains
Greek farmers usually keep fertile soils for more lucrative crps (less fertile aldn for olives and vines)

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8
Q

Land under vine in Greece

A

106,000
(only 61,500 for wine, the rest for table and drying grapes)

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9
Q

Average vineayrd holding in Greece

A

Very small
0.5ha

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10
Q

Why are many Greek vineyards worked by hand?

A

Very small size (average 0.5ha)
Tricky terrain - mountainous

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11
Q

When did Greece join EU? So what?

A

1981
Gained access to funding for vineyards etc

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12
Q

Hot dry conditions mean Greece is suitable for what kind of viticulture?

A

Organic and biodynamic

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13
Q

Vine training Greece

A

Most are trellised
Cordon-trained with VSP

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14
Q

Irrigaition in Greece

A

Necessary and permitted
Mostly for international varieties; local varieties adapted to drought
Drip irrigation used awlays

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15
Q

Indigenous varieties account for what % of Greek vineyards?

A

90%

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16
Q

How many indigenous varieties are there in Greece?

A

Unknown, more discovered all the time
Estimate 300
Around 60 grown in significant amounts

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17
Q

International varieties took hold in Greece in 1980s. Why?

A

Demand for them domestically
Concern on part of growers looking to export that export markets wouldn’t want unknown local varieties, hard to pronounce etc

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18
Q

Examples (2) of successful blended wines between one international and one indigenous Greek variety

A

Sauvignon Blanc with Assyrtiko
Merlot with Xinomavro

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19
Q

Most planted grape variety in Greece

A

Savatiano
White grape
The workhorse of central Greece

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20
Q

Why is Savatiano considered the workhorse grape of central Greece

A

Drough resistant!
Large volumes of inexpensive wine, key ingredient in Retsina

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21
Q

Savatiano style

A

White wine
Subtle aromas of citrus, pear, stone-fruit
Nutty character with age

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22
Q

Greece: most planted white grape, most planted red grape

A

White: Savatiano
Red: Agiorgitiko

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23
Q

What is notable about Roditis’ skin

A

White grape with pink skin
Rarely affects colour unless macerated for a few hours

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24
Q

Roditis style

A

White wine
Medium body
High acid
Ripe melon

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25
What is Greece's best known and most prized indigenous white grape?
Assyrtiko
26
Assyrtiko is originally from what part of Greece?
Santorini Now planted widely on mainland
27
Assyrtiko acidity level. So what?
High acid, even when fully ripe Balances high alcohol Age well Makes Assyrtiko suitable for luscious sweet wine (eg Visnanto)
28
Dry Assyrtiko style
Citrus, stone fruit, tropical fruit Strong smoky or flint If oak aged: fuller body, more secondary
29
What is Moschofilero
White grape, Greece Aromatic wines, floral and rose and spice (not unlike Muscat) High acid Light body Low alcohol Pink skin, pink tinge Some rose
30
Moschofilero is mainly planted where
Mantinia, in the Peloponnese
31
Malagousia style
White wine Medium acid Medium body Complex, intense stone fruit, flowers Cold sties: herbal, herbaceous
32
Most planted black grape in Greece?
Agiorgitiko
33
Agiorgitiko makes what style of wine?
It's versatile Lighter, fruity, early drinking -> complex, full body Rosé Sweet
34
Agirogitiko aromas
Ripe red fruit (can become jammy if extra ripe_ Sweet spices
35
Agiorgitiko mostly found where in Greece?
Peloponnese Particularly highly regarded from PDO Nemea
36
Greece's most prized indigenous black grape
Xinomavro
37
Where is Xinomavro grown?
All over northern Greece Most famously from Naoussa in northern Macedonia
38
Xinomavro often compared to what other grape? Why?
Nebbiolo In youth: v high acid adn tannin, vegetal rather than frutiy aromas Pale coloured, turn garnet quickly
39
Ageing potential for Xinomavro?
The best can age for decades: develop complex flowers, herbs, spices, leather and earthiness
40
Why is Merlot sometimes blended with Xinomavro?
Merlot softens out Xinomavro's rough edges
41
Greek wine production since 1990s: how has volume changed?
Production levels have fallen 2.6m hL in 2017 (vs 3.5m hL in 1990)
42
Traditionally Greek wines crushed how; fermented in what?
Crushed by foot Fermented in old casks, oak or chestnut
43
Two grape varieties that producers are trialling lees contact with? (Greece)
Assyrtiko Malagousia
44
Modern day popularity of Retsina started when and why?
Late 19th century Increased tourism after world wars, sales boomed in 1960s
45
What is the key additive to Retsina?
pine resin
46
Where in Greece is Retsina produced?
All over, but mostly from the hot central plains
47
Key grapes for Retsina?
Savatiano Roditis
48
Resin added to retsina at what point?
Added to must, then left on lees for no more than a week after fermentation
49
Retsina has a special legal status. what is it?
Wine of appellation by tradition OKP in Greek
50
Premium Retsina made from what grape?
Assyrtiko
51
Greek equivalent of PDO?
POP Prostatevmeni Onomasia Proelefsis 33 of them throughout Greece, 20% of production
52
How many PDOs in Greece?
33 they're called POPs Account for 20% of Greek production
53
What % of Greek production is PDO level?
20%
54
Why is PDO Naoussa unusual compared to other Greek PDOs?
It has ageing requirements
55
Greek PDO wines usually restricted to native varieties. One major exception?
Muscat, for sweet wines
56
Greek PGI equivalent
PGE There are 120 of them 62% of overall production
57
Account for popularity of PGI production in Greece. (62% of production was 20% for PDO)
Less strict rules on growing and winemaking International varieties!
58
What is OKP?
A special category for traditional Greek products that don't quite fit "wine" description e.g. Retsina
59
Two leading PDOs in Macedonia
Naoussa Amynteo
60
Rainfall in Macedonia
Falls throughout the year 650-700mm, adequate Water stress not a big issue
61
Important PGIs in Macedonia?
Drama Kavala Fertile soils on plains, warm Mediterranean climate, dry conditions = good and v good quality
62
Macedonia traditionally white or red wine?
Red PDOs Naoussa and Amynteo: red only, 100% Xinomavro Drama Valley: Bordeaux blends Some noteworthy whites too
63
PDO Naoussa: grape variety/s?
100% Xinomavro High acid, high tannins Complex Ageworthy
64
Important producers in Naoussa
Kir-Yianni Thymiopoulos Vineyards
65
PDO Naoussa vineyards are where?
South-eastern slopes of MOUNT VERMIO 150-400m Sheltered from strong winds
66
PDO Naoussa: traditional ageing/style
Large old wood Spicy and meaty (rather than fruit)
67
How has ageing and style for Naoussa developed?
Traditional: large old wood, spicy, meaty flavours 1990s: new French oak, firm tannins, body, oak Now: more restrained style. riper fruit. cold soak/whole bunch to get more colour but less tannin
68
PDO Naoussa and PDO Amynteo both around what mountain?
Mount Vermio Naoussa on southeast side Amynteo on northwest side
69
Amynteo temperature is regulated by what?
Lakes
70
PDO Amynteo what grape/s?
100% Xinomavro (like PDO Naoussa)
71
Key difference in wine that can be produced between PDO Naoussa and Amynteo?
Naoussa: red wine only Amynteo: red and rosé
72
Wine style: reds from Naoussa vs Amynteo
Both 100% Xinomavro Amynteo has cooler temperatures (NW side of Mount Vermio, not protected from winds etc) => usually lighter body, lower tannin, distinct floral character
73
Which region has largest vineyard planting in Greece?
Peloponnese (southern part of mainland) 30% of national planting
74
Topography of Peloponnese
Mountainous Poor, rocky soils Small amounts of faltter land (eg Patra plains)
75
Peloponnese is dominated by white grapes except for which PDO?
PDO Nemea Red wines, 100% Agiorgitiko
76
Key white grapes in Peloponnese?
Moschofilero Roditis
77
PGI Slopes of Aigialia is located where
Peloponnese
78
Name of canal that separates Peloponnese from the rest of mainland Greece
Corinth Canal
79
PDO Nemea makes what kind of wines?
Red 100% Agiorgitiko Dry and sweet (sweet are rare)
80
New style emerging in PDO Nemea
Semi carbonic maceration = fruity flavours, low tannins (still 100% Agiorgitiko)
81
Important producers in Nemea PDO
Gaia Wines Tselepos
82
Climate in Nemea PDO
Mediterranean
83
Nemea PDO usually divided into three distinct zones. What are they?
Low zone: valley floor, 230-400m. hottest. most fertile. inexpensive, high-quality sweet. Mid zone: 450-650m. best for quality. poor soils, low yields, cool days. not homogenous. High zone: 650-1,000m. agiorgitiko struggle to ripen. rose production.
84
Mantinia PDO climate
One of coolest grape growing areas in Greece southerly latitude but high altitude (start 600m) long growing season, ahrvest in Oct/Nov
85
Mantinia PDO wine style/grapes
White wines only Moschofilero min 85% (many are 100%)
86
Mantinia PDO style
White wine, Moschofilero dominant High acid low to med alc medium (-) to medium body floral and spicy
87
Key producers in Mantinia PDO
Boutari and Sémeli Estate
88
Why is grape growing on Greek Islands relatively expensive?
Difficult conditions (strong winds, low rain, rocky soils with poor water retention)
89
Most famous Greek island for wine
Santorini (part of Cyclades)
90
Key grape on Santorini? Key style/s
Assyrtiko Dry and sweet white
91
Last major volcanic eruption on Santorini? (and last minor one)
Major: 1500BC Minor: 1950
92
Why are vines trained in baskets on Santorini?
Winds are really strong
93
How are basket vines done on Santorini?
Each year, vines woven around the previous year's growth When a basket gets too bulky (20 yrs or so), it's cut off and new one started from a shoot Specialsied work => 4x the labour required for conventional trellis
94
How much more labour intensive is basket training (Santorini) than conventional trellis systems?
4x more labour
95
Is Santorini rainy?
Very limited rainfall throughout the year Growing season can be completely dry
96
Vine density on Santorini
Basket vines 2,500 vines per hectare
97
Is Phylloxera an issue on Santorini?
No Some vines have roots and trunks that are 400 years old
98
Account for low vigour and low yields on Santorini
Volcanic soil is infertile Low rainfall
99
Yields in Santorini? Maximum vs average
Maximum 60hl/ha (lowest permitted in Greece) In practicse, more like 15hl/ha
100
PDO Santorini for what kind of wines? What requirements?
Drya nd sweet white Dry: 75% Assyrtiko min Sweet: 51% Assyrtiko min many of the best are single varietals
101
PDO Santorini: dry white style
High acid Medium to high alcohol Smoky Best can age for 10 years in bottle Honey, toasty
102
Assyrtiko on Santorini: fermentation temp, vessel
Low temperatures Stainless steel, other neutral vessel
103
How is Vinsanto made on Santorini?
Late-harvested grapes (51% Assyrtiko) Dried in the sun for up to 2 weeks Aged min 2 years in oak (many age for longer) encourage oxidation
104
Santorini Vinsanto style
Raisings, coffee, chocolate Sweet (200-300g/l) High acid
105
Significant producers on Santorini (Vinsanto)
Estate Argyros Domaine Siglas
106
How many grape growers in Greece?
7,000 Small plots, sell to large producers
107
Largest producers in Greece?
Greek Wine Cellars Boutaris Group
108
How many wineries in Greece?
1,000 Most very small Sell wine locally or in bulk to co-ops/big companies
109
Example of a quality Greek co-op?
Samos
110
Samos co-op (Greece) has a reputation for what kind of wine?
Sweet
111
What % of Greek wine is exported?
13%
112
Biggest export market for Greek wine?
Germany 40% of Greek exports
113
Key challenge for Greek producers internationally?
Customers unfamiliar with grape vareities Yet indigenous grapes play an important point of difference

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