Greece Flashcards
The height of Greek wine culture was during the Golden Age - when was this, and where did Greek culture spread to?
500 - 300BCE
The Greek Empire spread around much of the Mediterranean, spreading their wines and culture
In the Golden Age, what did Greeks do to wines to prevent oxidation and mask off flavours?
They added honey, herbs, spices, flowers and oils
What happened to Greece’s wine exports when the country became part of the Roman Empire in 2BCE?
They declined - exports were prevented and the Romans began introducing wines from elsewhere
What happened in 1830 in Greece?
The modern Greek state was established after the revolution in 1821. Retreating Ottomans destroyed most of the agricultural land
What happened in 1898 in Greece?
Phylloxera first appeared in Macedonia, destroying the remaining vineyards
In the early 20th Century, which wars prevented the recovery of the Greek wine industry?
2 Balkan wars, 2 world wars and the Greek Civil War
As a wine making country, how was Greece perceived in the early 20th Century?
Greece was seen as a source of cheap, poorly made wine
What type of businesses were mainly making wine in Greece in the early 20th Century?
Large businesses and co-ops
Describe the change that happened in Greek wine making in the 1980s.
There was a rapid rise in small, quality minded producers, leading to a modern Greek culture of quality estate made wines
How did the 2008 financial crash affect the Greek wine industry?
There was a drop in consumption which forced producers to look at export markets, leading to an increase in exports over the last decade
How many hectares of land in Greece were under vine in 2017?
106,000 ha
In general, what climate can you expect from Greece?
Mediterranean: summers are long and hot, winters are short and mild
Between which latitudes would you find the grape growing regions of Greece?
34 - 42 degrees north
Greek islands may experience a lot of wind: how does wind negatively impact the vine?
Can affect flowering and fruit set
Can cause water stress
Can negatively impact photosynthesis
Can cause physical damage to the plant
What is Greece’s average rainfall? Is the drying season generally dry or wet?
400-700mm per annum (although areas like Santorini are a lot dryer)
Growing season is generally dry
What size is the average vineyard holding?
0.5ha - very small
Vineyards in Greece are generally worked by hand - why?
Small in size and the terrain can be tricky
What trellising system is used in the vast majority of Greek vineyards?
VSP cordon training
Is irrigation permitted in Greece?
Yes - although it is mainly used for international varieties as local varieties are more drought resistant.
Drip is almost exclusively used
What percentage of planted vines in Greek are indigenous?
90%
Why were international plantings introduced in the 1980s?
There was demand from the domestic market
There were concerns that foreign markets would not buy unknown grape varieties
What are the positives of the Savatiano vine?
Drought resistant
Rising reputation due to dry farmed bush vines
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
Most planted grape in Greece
Very drought resistant
Used to produce inexpensive wines
Commonly used in Retsina
Rising reputation due to dry farmed bush vines
Better examples have aromas of citrus, pear and stone fruit
Can become nutty with age
Savatiano
Give a typical tasting note for Roditis
Melon and ripe fruit aromas
High acidity
Medium body
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
The second most planted grape in Greece Pink skinned High yielding Used to produce inexpensive wines Commonly used in Retsina Higher quality wines can be made at altitude Medium body High acidity Ripe fruit flavours of melon
Roditis
Give a typical tasting note for Assyrtiko
Citrus, stone and tropical fruit with a flinty, smoky character
High acidity
Some wines may be oak aged for complexity
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
Originally from Santorini, although now widely planted
Retains high levels of acidity even in hot conditions
Also used to make sweet Vinsanto wines
Dry wines show citrus, stone and tropical fruit with a flinty, smoky character
Some wines may be oak aged for complexity
Assyrtiko
Give a typical tasting note for Moschofilero
Aromatic: citrus, flowers (rose) and spices
High acidity
Light body
Medium alcohol
Can be compared to Muscat
Quality wines
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
Produces quality aromatic wines with notes of citrus, flowers (rose) and spices
Can be compared to Muscat
Wines are high in acid but light in body
Pink skinned
Mainly planted in Mantinia in the Peloponnese
Moschofilero
Give a typical tasting note for Malagousia
Pronounced intensity
Stone fruit and flowers - cooler give herbal / herbaceous note
Medium acidity
Medium body
Can be fermented in neutral vessels or oak
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
Grown in most areas of Greece
Reputation for high quality
Plantings are increasing
Wines have medium acidity and medium body
Intense aromas of stone fruit and flowers
Grapes from cooler sites can give a herbal or herbaceous note
Can be fermented in neutral vessels or oak
Malagousia
Give a typical tasting note for Agiorgitiko
Aromas of ripe red fruit and sweet spices (can be jammy) Deep colour Medium acidity Medium to high levels of soft tannins Medium alcohol
Often aged in oak, some new
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
Mainly planted in the Peloponnese
Some of the best examples are from Nemea
Most planted black grape in Greece
Wines range from light and fruity to more complex, full-bodied reds
Can be used to make rose and sweet wines
Red wines are deeply coloured with medium acidity
Medium to high levels of soft tannins and medium alcohol
Aromas of ripe red fruit and sweet spices
Often aged in oak, some new
Agiorgitiko
Give a typical tasting note for Xinomavro
Red fruit flavours, develop complex aromas of flowers, herbs, leather, spice and earthiness
Pale ruby - quickly turn garnet
High acidity
High levels of grippy tannins
Wines benefit from long ageing to soften them
Name the grape variety from its key characteristics:
The best examples are from Naoussa in Northern Macedonia
High acidity and high levels of grippy tannins in youth mean the wines benefit from long ageing
Wines are pale and quickly turn garnet
Can develop complex aromas of flowers, herbs, leather, spice and earthiness
Using riper grapes and less extraction, some producers make fruitier wines with softer tannins
Sometimes blended with Merlot to soften it out
Xinomavro
Has wine production increased or decreased from the 1990s?
Decreased
In 2017, 2.6 million HL of wine were produced compared with 3.5 million HL in 1990
Compared with the 1990s, is use of new oak in winemaking more prominent or more restrained?
More restrained
Explain how Retsina is made in modern day Greece.
Pine resin is added to must
The wine is then left on lees for no longer than a week
This allows the pine resin character to integrate
Retsina does not comply with the EU definition of wine, but what is the special status it has been granted?
Wine Appellation by Tradition (OKP in Greek)
How many PDOs are there in Greece? What percentage of production do they account for?
33 PDOs
20% of annual production
How many PGIs are there in Greece? What percentage of production do they account for?
120+ PGIs
62% of annual production
Wines without geographical indication are labeled as ‘Wines from Greece’. What percentage of production do they account for?
18% of annual production
Name the two most important PDOs in Macedonia, both found in the mountainous areas
Naoussa and Amynteo
The north and west of Macedonia is mountainous: describe the conditions here.
Climate is continental
Altitude keeps temperatures relatively cool
Rain falls throughout the year (650mm - 700mm)
Drought is not an issue
In the east of Macedonia are the flat plains: describe the conditions here.
Climate is warm and continental
Soils are fertile
Generally suited to producing higher volume wines
Name two good quality PGIs found on the plains of Macedonia
Drama and Kavala
On the warmer plains of Macedonia, Drama Valley has established a reputation for what kind of wines?
Bordeaux blends
What is the only permitted grape variety in PDOs Naoussa and Amynteo?
Xinomavro
Naoussa covers the south-eastern slopes of which mountain?
Mount Vermio
At what altitude would you expect to find vines in Naoussa?
150m to 400m above sea level
What is the climate in Naoussa?
Continental
Give a tasting note for a Naoussa PDO wine, noting the key varietal
Xinomavro High acidity High tannins Great complexity of aromas Ability to age for decades Mid priced with some premium examples Good to outstanding
Describe how some producers in Naoussa might make a fruitier, easier drinking style of wine
Use riper fruit
Cold soak
Whole bunch fermentation
Amynteo is found on what side of Mount Vermio?
North western
Are vineyards in Amynteo higher or lower than those in Naoussa?
Higher
At what altitude would you expect to find vines in Amynteo?
570m to 750m above sea level
The northerly aspect of vineyards in Amynteo has what affect?
Vineyards are exposed to cold northerly winds
Summers are cool and winters are cold
What moderates the cool temperatures in Amynteo?
Lakes
Lakes in Amynteo can moderate the cold, but what negative impact can they have?
What are soils like close to the lakes?
Humidity is higher close to the lakes increasing the risk of rot
Soils close to the lakes are more fertile, so care must be taken to control yields
What styles of wine are permitted in Amynteo, and what varieties are allowed?
Red and rose wines
Only Xinomavro is permitted
In comparison to wines from Naoussa, describe how a red wine from Amynteo would be expected to taste.
Due to cooler temperatures, Amynteo wines are usually lighter in body and lower in tannins.
The best wines have a distinct floral quality
Good to very good
Mid priced
What are the two most significant PDOs in Peloponnese?
Nemea and Mantinia
Describe the terrain in Peloponnese
Mountainous with poor rocky soils
What helps to moderate the temperatures of regions in Peloponnese?
Altitude from the mountains
How much of Greece’s total wine production is from Pelopponese?
30%
In Peloponnese, where is land flatter, with hotter conditions and more fertile soils?
Around Patra
Prevailing easterly winds in Peloponnese bring rain from the ocean, but rainfall levels drop further east across the Peninsula. Why?
The mountains mean the rains break and fall mostly in the west
What are the two main grapes found in Peloponnese?
Roditis and Moschofilero
Outside of Peloponnese’s PDOs, large volumes of inexpensive wines are produced. Which varieties dominate these PGI wines?
Roditis
Agiorgitiko
Other international varietals
What is the name of the body of water that separates the Peloponnese peninsula from mainland Greece?
The Corinth Canal
Name the styles / varietals permitted in Nemea PDO.
100% Agiorgitiko
Dry and sweet red wines are permitted, although dry styles dominate
What are more producers in Nemea doing to make a fruitier style of wine with lower tannin?
Semi carbonic maceration
Describe the climate in Nemea
Mediterranean
When in the season would you expect most rain to fall in Nemea
Autumn and winter
Is rainfall in Nemea uniform year on year?
What soils cope better in dry years?
No - different rainfall patterns year on year can impact yields and the quality of the wines.
Vines on clay soils can cope better in dry years than vines on free draining soils
Describe conditions in the valley floor area of Nemea, mentioning altitude. What styles of wines are the grapes used for?
230 - 400m Hottest zone Most fertile floors Inexpensive wines Also used for high quality sweet wines
Describe conditions in the mid zone of Nemea, mentioning altitude. What styles of wines are the grapes used for?
450 - 650m
Range of aspects and altitudes
Cooler than the valley floor
Free draining infertile soils limit yields
Cooler days slow sugar accumulation while flavours and tannin ripen
Best for quality dry wines
Describe conditions in the highest zone of Nemea, mentioning altitude. What styles of wines are the grapes used for?
650 - 1000m
Agiorgitiko can struggle to ripen fully
Cool clay soils
Coolest temperatures from altitude
Mainly used for rose wines (not permitted in the PDO)
Some producers exploring fresher styles of reds
Mantinia is on a plateau with elevations starting at what altitude?
600m above sea level
Is Mantinea hot or cool? Describe how this might affect ripeness.
Despite its southerly latitude, the altitude makes Mantinia one of the coolest grape growing regions in Greece, with grapes sometimes struggling to ripen. It has on of the longest growing seasons in Greece with harvest sometimes as late as October / November
What is the main grape variety in Mantinia PDO? What percentage of the blend must it make up?
Moschofilero - must be at least 85%, but most top quality wines are 100%
Give a tasting note for a Mantinia PDO wine, stating the main variety.
Moschofilero High acidity Low to medium alcohol Medium(-) to medium body Floral and slightly spicy aromas Mid priced Good to very good quality
What type of vessel would you use to ferment Moschofilero? Why?
Stainless steel to retain freshness, as wines are aromatic and best drunk young.
Name 5 noteworthy wine-producing Greek islands other than Santorini.
Paros - in the Cyclades, has a number of PDOs for still and sweet wines
Tinos - also in the Cyclades
Samos - in the northern Agean makes sweet Muscat
Lemnos - same as above
Crete - gaining reputation for high quality wines from indigenous and international varieties
What style of wines are made on Santorini and from what grape variety?
Still and sweet wines from Assyrtiko
Santorini lays on a volcano: during its last major eruption much of the island collapsed leaving a submerged crater in the centre. What is this known as?
Caldera
What is the name of the special basket training system used in Santorini?
Koulara
Why are vines in Santorini trained in baskets? Explain how grape growers train the vines.
By training the fruiting zone in the hollow inside of the basket, vines are protected from strong winds
The basket shape also helps to trap moisture (Santorini receives very little rainfall)
Each year the vines are woven around the previous year’s growth,; when a basket gets to bulky, it is cut off and a new basket is formed from the same shoot.
At what density are vines planted in Santorini? Why?
2,500 vines per hectare
Vine densities are kept low because moisture is low. Lower densities will therefore reduce competition
In Santorini, rainfall is very low. What is the main source of moisture for vines?
Morning fogs rising ogg the Caldera every morning. The traditional basket trained (Kourala) vines trap the moisture
What is the maximum permitted yield in Santorini?
60hl/ha, although in practice yields are much lower
What is the minimum amount of Assyrtiko required in dry Santorini PDO wines?
75% (the best are often 100%)
What is the minimum amount of Assyrtiko required in sweet Santorini wines?
51% (the best are often 100%)
Give a tasting note and the main variety for a dry white wine from Santorini
Assyrtiko High acidity Medium to high alcohol Stone and citrus fruit aromas Smoky, flinty notes Develop nutty and honeyed aromas with age Good to outstanding Mid to premium priced
What fermentation vessels might be used for making dry wines in Santorini?
Most Assyrtiko is fermented at low temperatures in stainless steel to retain fresh fruit flavours
Producers are increasingly experimenting with oak and lees contact
Where does Vinsanto come from and what is the main grape variety used?
Santorini
Assyrtkio
Explain the process of producing Vinsanto
Late harvested Assyrtiko grapes are sun dried for up to two weeks
Wines are oak aged for a minimum of two years
Often larger casks are not fully filled encouraging oxidation
What levels of sugar would you expect in Vinsanto?
200 to 300g/l
What is the minimum ageing period for Vinsanto?
2 years, although most producers will age their Vinsanto for longer
Give a tasting note for Vinsanto, naming the main grape variety used.
Assyrtiko Sweet High acidity Raisin, coffee and chocolate aromas Very good to outstanding Premium to super premium price
Roughly how many grape growers are there in Greece?
7000 - many own small plots of land and sell to larger producers
Roughly how many wineries are there in Greece?
1,000 - most are small, selling wine locally or in bulk to co-ops
Name the two largest wine producing companies in Greece.
Greek Wine Cellars
The Boutaris Group
What did the Greek government do in the 1920s to try and revitalise the industry?
They established a number of co-operatives, who were responsible for a significant proportion of wine up until the 1980s.
Notably, the quality was poor.
How much Greek wine is exported?
13%
How has a weak Greek economy affected wine exports?
The weak economy means that Greek wines represent good value for money abroad
Which foreign markets have emerged as leading markets for quality Greek wine?
USA
Canada
UK
Australia
Name two key challenges faced by the Greek wine industry on export markets
Unfamiliar and hard to pronounce grape varieties
The Greek alphabet
What is the name of the promotional body in Greece who have been actively marketing wines on export markets?
Wines of Greece
The domestic market for Greece remains important; what type wines are preferred and why does this clash with export preferences?
There is a high demand for international grape varieties on the domestic market, compared with demand for indigenous Greek grapes on the export market.
What styles of wine are typically produced from the Savatiano grape?
Used to produce inexpensive wines
Commonly used in Retsina
What aromas are typical of Savatiano?
Subtle citrus, pear and stone fruit.
Can become nutty with age
What styles of wine are typically produced from Roditis?
Used to produce inexpensive wines
Commonly used in Retsina
Higher quality wines can be made at altitude (yields need restricting)
Describe two key characteristics of the Roditis vine
High yielding - suited to inexpensive production
Pink skinned
What styles of wine are made from Assyrtiko?
Dry, high acid wines
Sweet Vinsanto wines
What styles of wine are produced from Agiorgitko?
Wines range from light and fruity to more complex, full-bodied reds
Also used for rose and sweet wines
Where is Agiorgitko mostly planted?
Nemea, Peloponnese
Where are the best Xinomavro wine produced?
Naoussa, Northern Macedonia
How might producers make softer wines from Xinomavro?
Using riper grapes and less extraction for fruitier wines with softer tannins
Blend with Merlot
