Greece

Question 1

Climate of Greece

Answer 1

Mostly warm Mediterranean with diurnal shift

Question 2

Retsina

Answer 2

Traditional wine from Savatiano/Roditis with the addition of Resin

Question 3

4 main grapes of Greece

Answer 3

Assyrtiko (white)
Moschofilero (white)

Xinomavro (red)
Agiorgitiko (red)

Question 4

Macedonia

Answer 4

Humid and mountainous

Question 5

Grapes of Macedonia

Answer 5

Xino Mavro and Malagousia

Question 6

Appellation in Macedonia

Answer 6

Naoussa appellation

Question 7

Aegan Islands

Answer 7

Santorini, Samos, Limnos, and others

Question 8

Grapes of Aegan Islands

Answer 8

Assyrtiko, Muscat Blanc, Malvasia (called Monemvasia)

Question 9

Greek name for Malvasia

Answer 9

Monemvasia

Question 10

Main grape on Santorini

Answer 10

Assyrtiko

Question 11

Main grapes of Rhodes, Samos, and Limnos

Answer 11

Muscat

Question 12

amphorae

Answer 12

terra cotta wine containers often sealed with pine resin to prevent spoilage

Question 13

Retsina

Answer 13

aromatized wine flavored with Aleppo pine resin

Today - White made from Savatiano and flavored with pine resin

Question 14

Rules for Retsina

Answer 14

cannot be labeled with a vintage

Question 15

How many indigenous varietals are in Greece

Answer 15

over 300

Question 16

When were Greek wine laws instituted?

Answer 16

1969 and 1970 (with most of the country’s appellations established in 1971)

Question 17

Change in Greek wine law in 1980s

Answer 17

• overseen by the Greek Wine Institute

- these appellation laws conform to EU standards and resemble the French model

Question 18

Greek Wine PDO designations

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Reserve aging requirements in Greece

Answer 19

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

Question 20

Grand Reserve aging requirements in Greece

Answer 20

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

Question 21

4 levels of wine in Greece

Answer 21

Table
Varietal (can carry vintage/varietal on label)
PGI (Protected Geographic Indication)
PDO