Greece Flashcards
This kind of wine was what the layman Greek drank until quality started to become a point of interest during the 20th century in greek production
Retsina
Amphore
Pine Resin
in ancient Greece, what vessels did they use to transport Retsina and what was it sealed with to prevent spoilage
Today, Retsina is made with what grape and is now flavored with pine resin rather than stored with it
Savvatiano
two larger producers that dominate the Greek wine industry
Tsantali
Boutari
Greece implemented wine laws in what years
1969/70
who oversees wine laws in Greece
Greek Wine Institute
Main larger designation for wine regions in Greece
PDO
two levels of PDO’s in Greece
AOC (sweet wines)
AOSQ (dry wines)
Aging requirements for Reserve white wines in Greece PDO’s
1 year (6 months barrel)
Aging requirements for Reserve reds in Greece PDOs
2 years (1 year barrel)
Grand Reserve white wine requirements in Greece
2 years (1 year barrel)
Grand Reserve red wine requirements in Greece
4 years (1.5 years barrel)
below the PDO category is this category in Greece that labels just varietals and table wine
PGI
PGI really refers to Retsina production and the production of this wine made on the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea
Verdea
This term in Greece for the PGI designation refers to white and rose that are aged for at least 1 year and red wines that are aged for at least 3 years
Cava
6 Mainland regions of Greece
Macedonia
Epirus
Peloponnese
Thessiala
Thrace
Sterea Ellada (Central Greece)
The Islands of Greece are braodly categorized by these two areas
Aegean Islands
Ionoian Islands
These 2 regions on the mainland of Greece cannot claim any PDOs
Thrace
Central Greece
Best dry red wines from Greece come from what major region
Macedonia
These two PDOs in Macedonia only produce dry red wines from the tannic grape Xinomarvo
Naoussa
Amynteo
This PDO in Macedonia produces mostly red wines from Xinomarvo but can blend 20% Negoska into the wine
Goumenissa
What appellation is home to the major producer Boutari in Greece
Naoussa
This PDO in Macedonia is one of greece’s coolest regions and one of the few that produces Rose wines
Amynteo
The fourth PDO which is a single appellation for Domaine Carras makes wines from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and the native Limnio
Plagies Melitona (Slopes of Meliton)
This Region is south of Macedonia and home to Mount Olympus
Thessalia
Three PDOs of Tessalia
Rapsani
Messenikola
Anchialos
This PDO is the southern most region for the production of the Red Xinomarvo grape and is blended with Krasato and Stavroto
Rapsani PDO
This region of Greece is on the Ionian Coast and only home to one PDO
Epirus
This is the Only PDO in Epirus in Greece and produces dry, semi sweet, and sparkling wines from the Debina Grape
Zitsa
This major region of Greece is the home to Retsina and surrounds the City of Athens
Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
This region of Greece is a peninsula by virtue of a small Isthmus of Corinth and is directly south of Sterea Ellada
Peloponnese
three PDOs of Peloponnese
Nemea
Mantinia
Patras
Both dry and sweet Nemean wines are produced from this grape which is Greece’s most noble red varietal
Agiorgitiko (St. George)
Most famous subzone of Nemea for the great production of Agiorgitiko
Koutsi
The only PDO that produces any red wine in Peloponnese
Nemea
This PDO in Peloponnese is known for producing high quality white wines from Moschofilero which is a red skinned varietal
Mantinia
This appellations produces dry white wines from 100% Roditis but also produces sweet wines from three distinct regions
Patras PDO
This dessert wine from Patras PDO is usually aged for one year or more in wood but can often be seen aging for over a decade and is usually drank by greeks as an Aperitif and for the sacrament at greek orthodox churches
Mavrodaphne of Patras
This PDO was added in 2010 by the greeks which is on the south eastern coast of Peloponnese where the wines must be aged in an oxidative environment for 2 years prior to release and must be made from 51% Monemvassia
Monemvassia-Malvasia PDO
4 Ionioan producing islands of the coast of Greece
Cephalonia
Kerkyra (Corfu)
Lefkada
Zakynthos
The only Ionian Island that has a PDO that makes white wines from Robola (unrelated to Ribolla)
Cephalonia
PDO sweet wines from Cephalonia are made from what two grapes
Mavrodaphane
Muscat
This island off the coast of Peloponnese is of breathtaking beauty and home to Verdea Traditional Appellation wines
Zakynthos
This Island off to the south west of the mainland in Greece is larger, part of the Aegean Islands and accounts for 20% of Greek wine production
Crete
Two Red wine PDO zones on the Island of Crete
Archanes
Dafnes
Crete is home to these two PDO zones that produce both red and white wines
Peza
Sitia
in 2012 these three subzones were added as PDOs on the Island of Crete
Candia
Malvasia Candia
Malvasia Sitia
Major white grape varietal in PDO zones on the island of Crete
Vilana
Though Vilana is a wide planted white grape on the Island of Crete, most good wine makers prefer to showcase this grape because it better retains acidity
Vidiano
This is the most common Red grape planted through out the Aegean Islands
Mandilaria
This is an ancient grape that is red and produced on the Island of Crete that ripens in early July and after aging creates a very distinct Orange style of wine
Liatiko
PDO appellation that is exciting and part of the Cyclades Islands north of Crete in the Aegean that produces white wines from Asyrtiko
Santorini
Asyrtiko vines on Santorini must be grown in this basket shape close to the ground to protect the grapes from the wind
Stefani
Best Producer of Asyrtiko on Santorini
Peter Sigalas
This island near Santorini produces both red and white wines from Mandalaria and the white Monemvassia which is the only appellation that mandates blending of white and red grapes
Paros
This PDO is on the Isle of Samos just north of Paros and is a famous wine of greece and is usually sweet
Muscat of Samos
This is the grape varietal usually that on the Isle of Samos that usually is produced in the Vin de paille style where the grapes are dried and aged for a period of 3 years prior to release. This wine is also referred to as Samos Nectar
Muscat blanc a Petit Grains
These two Islands in the North East of the Aegean both have 2 PDOs but are rarely encountered out of the country
Lemnos
Rhodes
The PDO Slopes of Meliton
wine-growing area is located in the Sithonia peninsula, the “middle” leg of the region of Halkidiki (Macedonia)
The PDO Slopes of Meliton wine style
dry white: Athiri (50%), Roditis (35%) and Assyrtiko (15%)
dry red: Limnio, at a minimum of 70%, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
the first Greek PDO wine to include international grape varieties in its blend
The PDO Slopes of Meliton
the 2 Greek PDO wine to include international grape varieties in its blend
Slopes of Meliton
Messenikola
single owner ofPDO Slopes of Meliton
Domaine Porto Carras.
Rapsani PDO grapes
the Red Xinomarvo grape and is blended with Krasato and Stavroto
Zitsa PDO grape
Debina
Mantinia grape
Moschofilero
which is a red skinned varietal
When was Greece first implemented wine laws?
- 1969 & 1970
(most of the country’s appellations established in 1971)
What are the two level of PDO in Greece?
- Appellation of Superior Quality (AOSQ/ OPAP)
- Controlled Appellation of Origin (AOC/ OPE)
Define the requirements for Greece’s PDO wines aging designation
“Reserve”
- White: 12 mths (6 mths wood/ 3 mths bottle)
- Red: 24 mths (12 mths wood/ 6 mths bottle)
“Grand Reserve”
- White: 24 mths (12 mths wood/ 6 mths bottle)
- Red: 48 mths (18 mths wood/ 18 mths bottle)
What is “Palaiomenos se vareli”?
- For PDO or PGI
- Added to Cava, Reserve, Grand Reserve
- Indicates oak aging beyond the required minimum
What are the categories BELOW the PDO in Greece?
- “Varietal”: Carry vintage and varietal
- “Table”: NOT allowed to carry vintage and varietal
Greece’s PGI zones are divided into….
- Regional (major regions)
- District
- Area (may only single estate)
What does “Cava” indicate on Greece’s PGI wines?
For PGI wines:
- White & Rosé: 12 mths (6 mths wood)
- Red: 36 mths (12 mths wood)
What are the BIG FIVE players of Greek wine?
- Achaia Clauss
- Kambas
- Boutari
- Kourtaki
- Tsantali
Greece can be divided into how many regions?
1) Ionian Islands
2) Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
3) Aegean Islands
4) Crete
5) Thrace
6) Thessalia
7) Epirus
8) Macedonia
9) Peloponnese
What are the mainland regions in Greece?
1) Central Greece (Sterea Ellada) (No PDO)
2) Thrace (No PDO)
3) Thessalia
4) Epirus
5) Macedonia
6) Peloponnese
What are the Island regions in Greece?
1) Ionian Islands
2) Aegean Islands
3) Crete
Which regions in Greece contains NO PDO zone?
- Central Greece (Sterea Ellada)
- Thrace<br></br><img></img>
What is Stefani?
- Vine training system in Santorini PDO
- Like shape of baskets or wreaths (花冠)
- Protect vines from Aegean winds
- Collect the morning moisture
What is Vin Liastos/ Liasta?
“Straw wines” for Greek wine
- Sweet wine made by sun-dried grapes after the harvest<br></br><img></img>
Name some PDO Zones within Macedonia
1) Goumenissa
2) Amynteo
3) Naoussa
4) Slopes of Meliton
Briefly explain the growing conditions of Macedonia (Greece)
- High altitude (Macedonia mountains)
- Cool climate
______ PDO & Amynteo PDO are produced red wines solely from firmly tannic red grape ______ in Macedonia region
- Naoussa
- 100% Xinomavro (red)<br></br><img></img>
Goumenissa PDO produces lighter Xinomavro wines with the addition of min. 20% ______ (grape) in _______ (region)
- Negoska (red)
- Macedonia<br></br><img></img>
Amynteo PDO is the Greece’s coolest region and allowing production of rosé wines (Dry to semi sweet, still to sparkling) made from 100% ______ (grape) in ______ (region)
- 100% Xinomavro
- Macedonia<br></br><img></img>
Cotes de Meliton PDO is monopole for ______ for dry red and white wines, what grapes?
- Domaine Porto Carras
- White: Assyrtiko, Athiri, Rhoditis
- Red: CS, CF, Limnio
Evangelos Gerovassiliou (Winemaker of Domaine Carras) produces varietal wines of highly aromatic from ________ (grape) in the PGI Thessaloniki (Northern Macedonia)
- Malagousia (white)
- Domaine Gerovassiliou
How many PDO Zones within Thessalia (Greece)?
1) Anchialos (Dry to semi-sweet White)
2) Rapsani (Dry Red)
3) Messenikola (Dry Red)<br></br><img></img>
Anchialos PDO is the zone within ______ PDO and produces only white wine from min. 75% ______ (grape) and Max. 25% Savvatiano
- Thessalia PDO (Greece)
- Roditis (white)
What is Rapsani?
- A PDO zone within Thessalia PDO (Greece)
- Dry Red: Xinomavro, Krassato, Stavroto<br></br><img></img>
How many PDO zone within Epirus (Greece)?
1) Zitsa PDO
- Dry white, dry to semi-dry sparkling
- 100% Debina (white)<br></br><img></img>
What is Debina?
- White Greek grape primarily in the Zitsa PDO of Epirus (region) for dry white and sparkling wines