Greece

Question 1

What is the climate like in Greece?

Answer 1

Hot Mediterranean

Question 2

What are two weather problems that negatively impact the vines?

Answer 2

Severe winds

Drought

Question 3

What are the three main varieties of grape and where are they from?

Answer 3

Xinomavro from Naoussa (red PDO), Agiorgitiko from Nemea (red PDO) and Assyrtiko (red and white PDO/dry or sweet) from Santorini

Question 4

What is the Xinomavro grape like?

Answer 4

High tannin, high acidity, medium colour that quickly fades to tawny and lacks fresh fruit flavours even in their youth. Long lived wines that can develop complex spice, and earthy aromas with age. Some winemakers prefer to make them deeply coloured and less tannic, while others are aged in new oak. Often compared to the Nebbiolo grape.

Question 5

Where are the best vineyards located in Nemea?

Answer 5

Vineyards range from 230 to 900 metres. The best fruit comes from the vineyards in the middle of this range.

Question 6

What are the best wines like from Nemea?

Answer 6

The best wines have a deep ruby colour, high levels of smooth tannins, low to moderate acidity, sweet spice and red fruit flavours. New oak and age well.

Question 7

What is the fruit like in Nemea?

Answer 7

Fruit from the hotter, lower slopes tend to produce fruit that tastes jammy and made into fruity wines made for early consumption.

Fruit from higher slopes has a higher acidity, less fine tannins. It adds freshness to a blend but is better suited for rose wines.

Question 8

What are wines like from the Assyrtiko grape?

Answer 8

Dry wines - perfumed aromas with concentrated flavours of ripe citrus and stone fruit balanced by high acidity.

Sweet wines- Known as ‘Vinsanto’. The late-harvested grapes are sun dried for up to 14 days, aged in oak for a minimum of two years. The luscious sweetness is balanced by high acidity The older wines have oxidative characters of caramel and nuts.