Greece Flashcards
Climate of Greece
Mostly warm Mediterranean with diurnal shift
Retsina
Traditional wine from Savatiano/Roditis with the addition of Resin
4 main grapes of Greece
Assyrtiko (white)
Moschofilero (white)
Xinomavro (red)
Agiorgitiko (red)
Macedonia
Humid and mountainous
Grapes of Macedonia
Xino Mavro and Malagousia
Appellation in Macedonia
Naoussa appellation
Aegan Islands
Santorini, Samos, Limnos, and others
Grapes of Aegan Islands
Assyrtiko, Muscat Blanc, Malvasia (called Monemvasia)
Greek name for Malvasia
Monemvasia
Main grape on Santorini
Assyrtiko
Main grapes of Rhodes, Samos, and Limnos
Muscat
amphorae
terra cotta wine containers often sealed with pine resin to prevent spoilage
Retsina
aromatized wine flavored with Aleppo pine resin
Today - White made from Savatiano and flavored with pine resin
Rules for Retsina
cannot be labeled with a vintage
How many indigenous varietals are in Greece
over 300
When were Greek wine laws instituted?
1969 and 1970 (with most of the country’s appellations established in 1971)
Change in Greek wine law in 1980s
- overseen by the Greek Wine Institute
- these appellation laws conform to EU standards and resemble the French model
Greek Wine PDO designations
2 levels of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin)
- Controlled Appellation of Origin (reserved for traditional sweet wines) – AOC/OPE
- Appellation of Superior Quality – AOSQ/OPAP
Going forward, will bear “PDO wines of Greece” on current and future bottlings
Reserve aging requirements in Greece
Reserve –
- White: minimum 1 year with at least 6 months in barrel and 3 months in bottle
- Red: minimum 2 years with at least 1 year in barrel and 6 months in bottle
Grand Reserve aging requirements in Greece
White - minimum 2 years with at least 1 year in barrel and 6 months in bottle
Red - minimum 4 years with at least 18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle
4 levels of wine in Greece
Table
Varietal (can carry vintage/varietal on label)
PGI (Protected Geographic Indication)
PDO
