Greece Flashcards
Give a brief description of retsina.
Retsina is generally produced as a white wine, from Savatiano or Roditis grapes, and flavored with the addition of pine resin, rather than stored in resin-sealed casks. Per Greek law, it cannot be labeled with a vintage. Retsina is a traditional appellation protected by the EU (as a PGI)
What style is covered by Controlled Appellation of Origin, or Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Eλεγχόμενης (AOC/OPE)?
Traditional sweet wine.
What does réserve refer to on a Greek wine label?
Réserve indicates a minimum one year of aging for white wines, with at least six months in barrel and three months in bottle, and a minimum two years of aging for red wines, with at least one year in barrel and six months in bottle.
What does Grande Réserve refer to on a Greek wine label?
Grande Réserve requires a minimum two-year aging period for white wines, including at least one year in barrel and six months in bottle, and a minimum four-year aging period for red wines, including at least 18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle.
What is Verdea?
An oxidative white wine made on the island of Zakynthos, in the Ionian Sea
Minimum 50% Skiadopoulo, plus Pavlos, Robola, Goustolidi, Avgoustiatis
What are the districts of Ionian Islands?
Corfu (Kerkyra)
Lefkada
Zakynthos
What does PGI Cava on labels mean?
W / Rosé - at least one year ageing of which at least 6 months in barrel.
R - at least three years ageing of which at least 1 year in barrel.
What does Palaiomenos se vareli mean on PGI wine labels?
Oak ageing beyond the required minimums.
Name the PDO regions of Macedonia.
Amynteo
Goumenissa
Naoussa
Slopes of Meliton
Name the 3 PDO regions of Thessalia.
Anchialos
Messenikola
Rapsani
Name 5 historic producers that spearheaded Greek evolution of wine industry.
Boutari, Achaia Clauss, Kambas, Kourtakis, and Tsantali.
What is Meltemi? Define its effect.
A wind known as the Meltemi 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.
What is Tsipouro?
Vin doux naturel wines are produced when spirits are added to a partly fermented wine, and fortification is generally executed using Tsipouro, Greek grappa. This is considered the superior approach to fortification, and all grand cru Greek wines must be made using this method.
True or false - a wide diurnal range due to higher altitude is key to preserve freshness in many Greek wine regions, despite sunny Mediterranean climate
True
Name native grapes of Crete.
W - Vidiano and Vilana
R - Liatiko
What’s the most planted red grape variety in Santorini?
Mandilaria
What’s the principal PDO for Moschofilero?
Mantinia - min 85% Moschofilero
Describe the quality structure of Greek wine as per the quality wine system.
- PDO or POP = quality wine equivalent to PDO
- PGE = country wine with geographic designation equivalent to IGP. Within this category there’s Regional PGI, District PGI and Area PGI
- Oinos = Table wine
- OPK = Wine of Traditional Designation = wines defined by traditional winemaking methods used rather than geography. Eg. Retsina and Verdea.
To which island is Liatiko native?
Crete
What are the white and red varietals used for Slopes of Meliton PDO?
W - Roditis, Assyrtiko, Athiri
R- Cabernet Sauvignon, Lemnio and Cabernet Franc
Which varietals are blended with Mandilaria on Crete?
Kotsifali or Liatiko
Which varietal is blended with Mandilaria on Santorini?
Mavrotragano
Name two famous Mavrodaphne appellations in Greece.
Mavrodaphne of Patras
Mavrodaphne of Cephalonia
For which variety is Epanomi Area PGI famous?
Malagousia
