Greece Flashcards
What is the climate of Greece?
Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
How do volcanic soils and altitude affect Greek wines?
They add unique minerality and acidity, especially in Santorini and Samos.
How do mainland and island climates differ?
Mainland has continental influences; islands benefit from sea moderation.
What is the Greek quality wine classification system?
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication).
What are the aging designations in Greek wine?
Reserve and Grande Reserve indicate minimum aging for whites and reds.
What are the levels below PDO?
PGI wines, Varietal wines (with vintage/variety), and Table wines (without GI).
What are the major mainland wine regions?
Macedonia, Thessalia, Epirus, Central Greece, Peloponnese.
What are the major island wine regions?
Aegean (Santorini, Samos, Paros, Crete), Ionian (Zakynthos, Cephalonia, Corfu, Lefkada).
What are the key indigenous red grape varieties?
Xinomavro (Macedonia), Agiorgitiko (Nemea).
What are the key indigenous white grape varieties?
Assyrtiko (Santorini), Moschofilero (Mantinia), Savvatiano (Retsina).
What other native grape varieties are found in Greece?
Roditis, Limnio, Malagousia, plus international varieties in some estates.
What style of wine is produced in Naoussa?
Tannic, acid-driven red wines from Xinomavro.
What wines are produced in Slopes of Meliton?
Red blends with Cabernet Sauvignon/Franc & Limnio; whites with Assyrtiko, Athiri, Roditis.
What wines are produced in Nemea?
Red wines from Agiorgitiko, from dry to sweet styles.
What wines are produced in Mantinia?
Aromatic white wines from Moschofilero.
What wines are produced in Patras?
Dry to semisweet whites from Roditis; dessert wines from Muscat and Mavrodaphne.
The region’s specialty is the fortified red wine Mavrodaphne of Patras.
What wines are produced in Samos?
Muscat-based wines (Moscato Aspro), including vin de liqueur and Samos Nectar.
What wines are produced in Santorini?
Assyrtiko-based whites; Vinsanto, a sweet dried-grape wine.
What does PDO indicate on a Greek wine label?
Strict geographical and production standards (e.g., Naoussa, Nemea). 100% from stated region
What does PGI indicate on a Greek wine label?
Covers traditional styles like Retsina and Verdea, plus former vin de pays wines. >=85% from stated region
What is the difference between Varietal and Table wines?
Varietal wines list vintage and grape; Table wines do not.
What aging terms appear on Greek wines?
Reserve, Grande Reserve, Cava, and ‘Palaiomenos se vareli’ for extended oak aging.
What dessert wines are produced in Samos?
Naturally sweet Muscat wines (Moscato Aspro) and Samos Nectar aged 3+ years.
What dessert wine is produced in Santorini?
Vinsanto - oxidative, sweet dried-grape wine reflecting volcanic terroir.
Aging requirements for ‘Reserve’ wines?
White Wines: A year of ageing is required, with a minimum of six months in oak
barrels and a minimum of three months in bottle. (max 600L barrels)
Red Wines: Two years of ageing are required, with a minimum of twelve months in
oak barrels and a minimum of six months in bottle
Aging requirements for ‘Grande Reserve’ wines?
White Wines: At least two years of ageing are required, with a minimum of one year
in oak barrels and a minimum of six months in bottle.
Red Wines: At least eighteen months of ageing in oak barrels are required and an-
other eighteen months in bottle. They are made available on the market after a total
of four years of ageing.
When can Cava appear on a label and what are the requirements?
Oak aged wines
- White wines 6m in oak / 6m in bottle (min)
- Red wines 1y in barrel and 1y in bottle (min)
