Greece Flashcards
What is Retsina? What grapes is it made from?
aromatized wine flavored with pine resin, Pinus halepensis
Savvatiano
can NOT carry a vintage
What are the Traditional Appellations included in the Greek PGI category?
Retsina- aromatized, pine resin white wine
Verdea- oxidized white wine from Ionian island Zakynthos
List PDOs within Macedonia PGI
Naoussa
Amynteo
Goumenissa
Slopes of Meliton
Macedonia important red grapes
Xinomavro
Negoska
Limnio
CS, CF
Moschomavro- widely planted but not high quality
Macedonia important white grapes
native: Malagousia, Assyrtiko, Athiri, Rhoditis
Name a producer Macedonia
Tatsis
Magoutes
Domaine Nerantzi
Tsantali
Boutari
PDOs within Thessalia PGI
Rapsani
Messenikola
Anchialos
PDOs within Epirus? Wine styles?
Zitsa
dry, semisweet, sparkling from Debina grape
Thessalia important grapes?
red: Xinomavro, indigenous Limniona
white: Roditis, Savvatiano
lots of Muscat of Hamburg planted, for table grapes and Tsipouro production
Sterea Ellada
aka central Greece
mostly Retsina, from Savvatiano and Roditis.
no PDO zones, notable district PGI: Attica (Athens), and the island Evia
PDOs within Peloponnese PGI?
Nemea*
Mantinia
Patras
Dessert wine:
Muscat of Patras
Muscat of Rio Patras
Mavrodaphne of Patras
Peloponnese PGI- important grapes?
Agiorgitiko (St George)
Moschofilero
Mavrodaphne
Roditis
Muscat Blanc
Monemvassia
What are the Ionian Islands?
Cephalonia
Kerkyra (Corfu)
Lefkada
Zakynthos - Verdea made here
Cephalonia- where is this? Grapes?
Ionian island. Mount Ainos.
dry wines on higher elevations (min 50): 400-850
sweet: Mavrodaphne and Muscat
Robola of Cephalonia PDO - dry whites from 100% Robola (Sclavos producer)
Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia PDO- sweet fortified, min 50% Mavrodaphne
Muscat of Cephalonia PDO- VDL, VDN, sun dried, Grand Cru VDN
List the Aegean Islands
Santorini
Rhode
Samos
Crete
Limnos
Paros
Crete- PDOs?
Archanes
Daphnes
Sitia
Peza
Candia
Malvasia Candia
Malvasia Sitia
Crete important red and white grapes?
white: Viliana, Vidiano
Red: Liatiko, Mandilaria
Santorini PDO
grapes
styles
soil
whites from: min 85% Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani
Nykteri: from very ripe grapes
Vinsanto / Liastos: sweet dried grape wine (min 51% Assyrtiko)
fortified dried grape wine is also allowed, but not made
volcanic basalt on top of limestone and schist
Nykteri
This unusual dry wine is a historical product of Santorini, made with very ripe grapes that are harvested before dawn and pressed within a day. The wine is then aged for a minimum of three months in barrel, though longer is common, and sometimes, flor develops.
The result is a full-bodied, distinctive wine high in both alcohol and acidity.
Crete producer?
Iliana Malihan
Domaine Economou
Santorini producer?
Paris Sigalas
Hatzidakis
Greece mountains
Pindos- forms the spine of Greece, southernmost extension of the central Alps.
Mount Olympus is the tallest peak at 3000 m.
Water surrounding Greece
Ionian sea to west
Aegean sea to east
Libyan sea to south
Asproudi
generic term for white grapes in Greece
Cava - greece
for PGI and varietal wines, refers to a minimum of oak aging
white/rose: 1 year, with 6 m in barrel
red: 3 years, with 1 year in barrel
Ktima
greek term for estate
Agiorgitiko
“St. George’s Grape”
Nemea PDO
Liatiko PDOs
red grape indigenous to Crete
Daphnes PDO
Sitia PDO
Limnio PDOs
also Lemnio- red grape of northern greece
Limnos PDO
Slopes of Meliton PDO
Mandilaria PDOs
red grape of Greek islands
Archanes PDO
Candia PDO
Peza PDO
Sitia PDO
Rhodes PDO
Paros PDO
Mavrodaphne PDOs
red grape indigenous to Greece
Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia PDO
Mavrodaphne of Patras
Xinomavro PDOs
black grape, northern Greece
Amynteo PDO - 100%
Naoussa PDO - 100%
Goumenissa PDO
Rapsani PDO
Aidani - what / where?
white grape, greece
Santorini PDO
Assyrtiko PDOs
Malvasia Paros PDO
Santorini PDO
Slopes of Meliton PDO
Athiri PDOs
white grape likely native to Santorini
Rhodes PDO
Santorini PDO
Slopes of Meliton PDO
Debina - what / where?
white grape, greece
Zitsa PDO
Malagousia - what / where?
white grape, greece
Rhodes PDO
Moschofilero
pink skinned variety, in Peloponnese and Ionian islands
Mantinia PDO
Most planted white grapes greece
- Savatiano
- Roditis
Vidiano PDOs
white grape, native to Crete
Candia PDO majority
Malvasia Candia PDO auth
Malvasia Sitia auth
Viliana PDOs
white grape, native to Crete
Peza PDO
Sitia PDO
Nemea PDO
in Peloponnese, southern Greece. 3 distinct soils based on elevation: red clay in lowest areas, varied/poor soils in the middle, limestone at highest areas. cooler than Mantinia
100% Agiorgitiko
Dry, semi sweet, sweet, and VDN
notable cru: Koutsi, a limestone-rich region that sits at around 650 meters (2,130 feet) and is the headquarters for Gaia.
Skouras, Gaia
Megas Oenos
wine made by Skouras, in Nemea (but not labeled PDO)- blend of Agiorgitiko and Cabernet aged in NFO.
Patras PDO
where
grapes
styles
in Peloponnese, southern Greece
100% Roditis
dry - semi sweet white wine
Mantinia PDO
where
elevation
climate
grapes
styles
in Peloponnese, southern Greece. soils are rich in clay and rocky. on a plateau around 700m elevation, protected by mountains. ripening is not guaranteed, and winter snow is common. this cliamte is unlike the surrounding areas
min. 85% Moschofilero, plus Asproudes (generic term for indigenous white grapes). in practice most are varietal.
dry white & sparkling
Mavrodaphne of Patras PDO
where
grapes
styles
aging
in Peloponnese, southern Greece
Mavrodaphne and a max. 49% Mavri Korinthiaki
VDL from dried grapes and non-dried grapes
Aging Requirements: Min. 1 year in oak barrels of 1,000 liters or less
“Reserve”: Min. 3 years, including 2 years in cask and 1 year in bottle
“Vieille Reserve”: Min. 5 years, including min. 2 years in cask and 2 years in bottle
“Grand Reserve”: Min. 7 years, including a min. 3 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle
Non-Vintage blends require a minimum 3 years of aging after the final blend.
Liasta
sun dried wines or vin liastos, from the Greek word “Helios” for “sun”, are sweet wines traditionally produced in Greece since prehistoric times. Their name indicates the practice of sun-drying the grapes after the harvest so that they may become partially desiccated. The place where the grapes are laid out in the sun to dry is now called a “liastra” and corresponds to the ancient Greeks’ “heliasterion” or “theilopedon”.
Muscat of Patras PDO
where
grapes
styles
soils
in Peloponnese, southern Greece- Muscat of Rio Patras is the same
100% Moschato Aspro (blanc a petit grains)
Fortified Wine (VDN)
Fortified Wine from Specific vineyards (VDN Grand Cru)
Fortified Wine (VDL- before fermentation)
Naturally Sweet Wine (Sun Dried)
Patras is on clay based soils, and lower elevation - wines are heavier
Rio Patras- milder climate, more floral
Daphnes PDO
where
grapes
styles
on Crete
red from 100% Liatiko
Dry, VDL, VDN, sun dried
Sitia PDO
where
grapes
on Crete
White: Min. 70% Vilana, plus Thrapsathiri
Red: 80% Liatiko, plus Mandilaria (Mandilari)
Santorini PDO
where
grapes
styles
in the Aegean Sea
Dry Wines: Min. 85% Assyrtiko, plus Athiri and Aidani
Vinsanto/ Liastos: Min. 51% Assyrtiko, plus Athiri, Aidani, and “small amounts” of other traditional grapes, including Katsanó, Monemvassia, Gaidouria, Moschato Aspro, Platani and Roditis
Vin santo can be naturally sweet or fortified
volcanic soils
Santorini min abv dry wines
12%
Paros PDO
where
grapes
Aegean Island. Mount Profitis
White: 100% Monemvassia
Red: co-fermentation of minimum 35% Mandilaria grape, and Monemvassia must
Rhodes PDO
where
grapes
Aegean Island
white, red, rose, sparkling
White: minimum 70% Athiri
Red/Rose: minimum 70% Mandilaria
CAIR is a big producer here
Dodecanese
group of islands east of Cycladese
Rhodes is the only one of viticultural note
where did the Greeks bring wine?
Mediterranean, the Black Sea, and up the Danube almost as far as Austria.
Greece climate
generally mediterranean- warm and dry.
Attica (Athens)- warmest, driest
Epirus and Amynteo - coolest
Continental: Epirus, western Macedonia, western Thessaly
only Macedonia and Thrace receive summer/ harvest rains
Meltemi
a wind that regularly sweeps the Aegean. The name loosely translates to “a year of bad weather” and occurs when a high-pressure system falls over the Balkans and a low-pressure system sits over Turkey. It blows very dry air from the north, typically between mid-May and late September, which has an especially profound effect on Santorini
Tsipouro
greek grappa
used to fortify vin doux naturel wines
what is the name for Greek grappa?
Tsipouro
used to fortify VDN wines
Greek Grand Cru wine
Applies to certain sweet wines, made via the vin doux naturel process (partially fermented, fortified with tsipouro), that are sourced from select vineyards of a given region, typically from higher elevation sites.
greek PDOs that allow non-indigenous varieties?
Slopes of Meliton (allows CS, CF)
Messenikola (allows syrah, carignan)
grande/ grande reserve greece
For PDO wines only. Refers to a minimum of oak aging.
For white wines, this is two years of aging with at least one year in barrel and six months in bottle. cannot be aged in barrels larger than 600 liters.
For reds, four years of aging with at least 18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle.
santorini vine training
koulura/ stefani - A traditional method of vine training specific to Santorini, wherein vines are trained along the ground in a basket shape. This protects the grapes from the harsh, hot winds. it also helps take in water from morning fog and dew- the only source of water during much of the growing season
Mavroudi
An indigenous variety but also a generic term for unknown red grapes (mavro means “black”).
Paleomenos se vareli:
For PDO, PGI, and Varietal wines that are labeled with cava, reserve, or grande reserve. Indicates extended oak aging beyond the required minimums.
greek reserve wine
For PDO wines only. Refers to a minimum of oak aging.
For white wines, this is one year of aging with at least 6 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle.
For red wines, two years of aging required with a minimum of 12 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle
Thrace - where? grapes?
PGI in northern Greece, no PDOs here. Bulgaria to north, Turkey to east, Aegean Sea to south
cool northerly winds blocked by Rodopi mountains
Mavroudi and Limnio important grapes
Tsantali - producer here
Amynteo PDO
where
geography
grapes
sstyles
in Macedonia, Greece. one of the coldest pockets of Greece. On the NW facing side of Mount Vermio. Amynteo occupies a plateau that sits between 520 and 720 meters (1,705 – 2,630 feet) in elevation, and its vineyards are mostly flat. sandy soils
100% Xinomavro
rose, sparkling rose (dry-off dry), dry red
also called Amindeo
Naoussa PDO
where
grapes
styles
in Macedonia, Greece. 80 and 350 meters (260 – 1,150 feet). east facing. heavier soils with more clay.
100% Xinomavro
Dry Red, Semi-Dry Red, Semi-Sweet Red
13 crus, some notable: Trifolow (lower elevation), Fytia (higher elevation), Ramnista
producers: Kir-Yianni
Goumenissa PDO
where
grapes
in Macedonia, Greece. 150-300 m elevation, at the foot of Mount Paiko. clay-loam soils. south facing.
Xinomavro, Negoska (20% minimum)
dry red wine
Slopes of Meliton PDO
where
who owns?
soil / elevation
grapes
in Halkidiki, Macedonia, Greece. solely for the vineyard of Domaine Porto Carras
450 hectares under vine, one of the largest single vineyards in Greece.
The soil is sandy loam with limestone, and the vineyards extend from 100 to 350 meters (330 – 1,150 feet) in elevation. Many of the slopes are steep, which necessitates terracing, and the climate is Mediterranean.
dry red made from Limnio with Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc
dry white made from Assyrtiko, Athiri, and Roditis.
Granted in 1982, this was the first of two PDOs to allow international varieties.
Thessaly- geography
surrounded by the Pindos Mountains. relatively flat compared to most of greece. soils are schist and grey clay
Rapsani PDO
where
grapes
in Thessalia, Greece. on southeast-facing slopes of Mount Olympus. vineyards stretch from 150 to 800 meters (490 – 2,625 feet)
soils: loess at the bottom stratum, sandy loam in the middle, and red-tinged ferric schist at the top
dry reds from Xinomavro cofermented with Stavroto and Krasato
Messenikola PDO
where
grapes
geography
in Thessalia, Greece.
dry reds from min 70% Mavro Mesenikola, maximum 30% combined Syrah and Carignan
near the banks of Lake Plastira, on gravel-rich clay soils at elevations up to 750 meters (2,460 feet)
Tsantali is the major producer here
Anchialos PDO
where
grapes
in Thessalia, Greece
dry-semi sweet whites from:
80% Roditis with 20% Savatiano
Epirus
where
north-western greece, borders Albania. Ionian sea to west. mountainous and high elevation- average is 700 meters.
Zitsa PDO
where
grapes
styles
in Epirus, Greece. Pindos mountains to east. 500-700m elevation
*cool continental climate!
Dry white
Sparkling white: dry, semidry
100% Debina
Monemvasia-Malvasia PDO
where
grapes
styles
in Peloponnese, Greece
Naturally Sweet White (Vin Liastos/Sun Dried)
Fortified Sweet White (VDN)
Min. 51% Monemvassia, plus Assyrtiko, Asproudes, Kydonitsa
Cyclades
cluster of islands in the south Aegean sea, includes Santorini and Paros (and Mykonos)
hot and dry
kanaves
smaller winery, greece, OR underground cellars?
Samos PDO
in the northern Aegean Islands, greece.
Natural Sweet Wine (VDN)
Natural Sweet Wine from Specified vineyards (VDN - Grand Cru)
Sweet Wine (VDL)
Naturally Sweet Wine (Sun Dried)
100% Moschato Aspro (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains)
steep slopes, granitic soils
Ouzo - what is it? min abv?
distilled from grape pomace, flavored with anise. the addition of water or ice causes oils to come out of solution, and the liquid takes on a cloudy appearance.
min 37.5% abv
PDO status in 2006
Lemnos PDO
where
grapes
styles
Greek island in the north Aegean
dry-semi sweet white
sundried and fortified white
dry red
White: Moschato Alexandrias
Dry Red: Limnio (Kalampaki)
PDOs that can make Greek Grand Cru wine
all VDN:
Muscat of Patras
Muscat of Rio Patras
Muscat of Cephalonia
Muscat of Rhodes
Muscat of Lemnos (Alexandria)
Samos
Moschato Aspro
Greek term for Muscat Blanc a Petit Grains
Greek term for Muscat of Alexandria
Moschato Alexandrias
greek dry wines RS?
max 4/l generally
list the PDOs of the Aegean Islands
Santorini
Paros
Rhodes
Lemnos
Samos
Muscat of Rhodes
Muscat of Lemnos
Malvasia Paros
list the PDOs of Crete
Sitia
Peza
Daphnes
Archanes
Candia
Malvasia Candia
Malvasia Sitia
list the PDOs of the Ionian Islands
Robola of Cephalonia
Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia
Muscat of Cephalonia
highest elevation PDOs of Greece?
Samos (Aegean Island)
Patras (in Peloponnese)
both up to 900m
Nemea PDO - where?
villages of production?
Peloponnese PGI, Greece
Korinthia: Nemea, Aidonia, Ancient Nemea, Ancient Kleones, Galatas, Daphne, Kastraki, Koutsi, Leonti, Petri, Bozika, Titani, Asprokambos, Kefalari and Psari
Argolida: Malandreni, Gymno
