Greece Flashcards
What was the name of Greek god of wine
Dionysus (Bacchus in Rome)
What were Oenohoos
The proto sommeliers responsible for blending with water to keep it balanced to avoid drunkenness
What kind of additive is permitted in Retsina
Resin from Aleppo pines
When and how much resin is added to retsina
During first half of fermentation, between 0.15 to 1% of the wine’s volume
What are the two traditional PGI’s of Greece
Retsina
Verdea
Where is Retsina produced
Can be made anywhere in Greece, however mainly produced in Sterea Ellada
Which grape varieties are permitted for Retsina
Savatiano
Roditis
What is Kokkineli
A rose of Retsina made from Roditis
What are the 15 subregions permitted on Retsina labels
Gialtra
Halkidiki
Spata
Evia
Megara
Mesogia
Karystos
Attica
Markopoulos
Viotia
Pallini
Peania
Thebes
Pikermi
Koropi
Which 5 companies were at the forefront of the Greek quality movement of 1970’s
Boutari
Kourtakis
Achaia Clauss
Tsantaili
Kambas
Which Greek winery hired Emile Peynaud as consultant in 1970’s
Domaine Porto Carras
When was Greek wine law enacted
1969 - 1970
Which islands are found on the west of Greek mainland
Ionian Islands
Which island is directly south of Peloponnese
Kythira
Which big island is in the south part of Greek mainland
Crete
Which 3 island groups making wines are in east of Greek mainland, in Aegean sea
Cyclades Islands (Santorini, Paros)
Dodecanese Islands (Rhodes)
North Aegean Islands (Lemnos)
Which mountain range forms the spine of Greece
Pindos
Which is the highest mountain range in Greece
Mount Olympus on the border of Thessaly and Macedonia
Which Aegean island is considered with Central Greece due to its proximity to Athens
Evia
Which wine regions are part of Northern Greece
Thrace
Macedonia
Epirus
Thessaly
Which region is also known as Sterea Ellada
Central Greece
Which is the southernmost region of Continental Greece
Pelopponese
What is the key soil type in Greece
Limestone - due to oceanic crust forming the land and mountains in Greece
What kind of climate do you find in Greece
Mediterranean with abondant sunshine
Hot dry summers
Mild winters
Which is the hottest and driest part of Greece
Attica (Athens)
Which two regions are the coolest in Greece
Amynteo
Epirus
What is Meltemi
Hot dry wind coming from North to Aegean islands with profound impact on Santorini
What are vin Naturellement doux
Wines made solely from dried grapes
What are Vin doux/Vine de Liqueur
Unfermented musts shocked with spirits/Tsipouro (Mistelle)
What is Tsipouro
A Greek grappa, also used for fortifying sweet wines
What are Vin Doux Naturel
Wines produced by adding spirits to partly fermented musts
Which two PDO’s of Greece allow international varietals
Slopes of Meliton
Messenikola
What was the OPE designation used in Greece
OPE designation was used for traditional sweet wines of Greece
What are the different levels of PGI’s in Greece
Regional
District
Area
What is Verdea
An oxidised dry white wine from Ionian island Zakhynthos
What classification level is accorded to Retsina
PGI
What is asproudi
Unknown white grapes are called Asproudi is Greece
What is Cava in Greece
Used as ageing designation for still wines
Min ageing for 1 year for whites and rose wines, at least 6 months in barrel
Min ageing of 3 years for red wines, min 1 yr in barrel
Which quality of wines use the term Cava in Greece
PGI quality and varietal table wines
What does Grand Cru means in Greece
Used for sweet wines made by VDN process
Sourced from selected high altitude vineyards
What does Reserve means in Greece
Term used for PDO wines in Greece
White wines aged for min 1 yr, min 6 months in barrel and min 3 months in bottle
Red wines aged for min 2 yrs, min 1 yr in barrel and 6 months in bottle
What does Grand Reserve means in Greece
Term used for PDO quality in Greece
White wines aged for min 2 yrs, 1 yr in barrel not larger that 600L and min 6 months in bottle
Red wines aged for min 4 yrs, min 18 months in barrel and min 18 months in bottle
What is Paleomenos se Vareli
Indicates extended oak ageing beyond the required minimum for the appellation
What is Mavroudi
An indigenous Greek red variety
Also a generic term for unknown red grapes
Which is Greece’s most planted red grape
Agiorgitiko
What are the key characteristics of Agiorgitiko
High yielding, requires close planting
Small clusters, thick skinned
Prone to Mildew and disease
Which PDO solely uses Agiorgitiko
Nemea
Which country does Thrace border
Bulgaria
Turkey
What kind of soils do we find in Thrace
Sandy soils near coasts
Clay based fertile soils inland
Rocky and poor soils near mountains
Which mountain range blocks the cool winds off in Thrace
Rodopi mountains
What are the key PGI’s of Thrace
Evros - district PGI
Avdira & Ismaros - Area PGI’s
What kind of wines are made in Thrace
Blends of local and International varieties, both reds and whites
Key red local grapes being Mavroudi and Limnio
Key White grapes being Assyrtiko and Sauvignon Blanc
Which part of Macedonia is higher elevation? Why?
Western part, due to Pindos mountain range
Which are the main grapes in Macedonia
Mostly reds - Xinomavro and Moschomavro
Which two major wine families are responsible for high quality of Macedonia wines
Boutari
Tsantali
How high is the Plateau of Amynteo
Between 520 - 720 mtrs
Mostly flat
What soils do you find in Amynteo
Mainly sandy soils with limestone and loam
What grapes and wines are allowed in Amynteo
Xinomavro based reds, roses and sparkling rose
Both dry and off dry permitted
Sparkling could be tank or traditional method
What kind of soils and climate is found in Naoussa
More clay content than sand with plenty limestones, heavier than Amynteo
Continental climate
Which producer bottled the first wines in Greece
Boutari
Name few famous Crus of Naoussa
Trifolos - Lower elevation, richer soils, richer wines
Fytia - Higher elevation, rocky soils, chiseled wines
Ramnista - fuller bodied wines
Naoussa cru Ramnista is home to which modern producer
Kir Yianni