Greece Copied & Amended Flashcards
What factor allows Santorini to be Phylloxera-free?
Its volcanic soils contain none of the clay necessary for Phylloxera to survive.
How are the dry white wines of Santorini PDO made and what percentage of Assytiko must they contain?
the dry wines of Santorini PDO are made in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures to retain the primary fruit flavours. These wines must contain 75% Assyrtiko to be called Santorini PDO.
What is minimum ageing for Vinsanto from Santorini PDO?
Min 2yrs in old oak
What is Santorini sweet wine called, how is it made and what does it taste like?
Vinsanto
Late harvest grapes sun dried up to 14 days
Aged in oak minimum 2 years
Luscious sweetness with high acidity, can develop caramel and nuts
Macedonia has two key areas in it for grapegrowing; what are they?
Two key areas
Mountains in the north and west
Cooler and wetter in the mountains due to Altitude
Rain falls throughout the year
650-700mm per annum
PDOs – Naoussa and Amynteo
On the eastern plains – drier and warmer
Rain shadow of the mountains makes it drier
Warm and Mediterranean
Fertile soils
Production of high volume wines
PGIs of Drama and Kavala
PGI Drama known for high quality full bodied Bordeaux blends
Plus white wines of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Assyrtiko and Malagousia
What does a good example of Agiorgitiko taste like?
Deep ruby colour, medium to high levels of smooth tannin, medium acidity, medium alcohol
Sweet spice and red fruit flavours, plums.
Some oak ageing evident
Where is Naoussa located?
- South East slopes of Mt Vermio
A top producer from Naoussa?
Kir Yianni
the climate of Santorini can be described as?
-
Climate
- Very windy site
- Rainfall: very low
- Growing season can be dry
- Only moisture from Fog rising from Caldera
- Traditional training manages to trap moisture
What was the impetus for the modernisation of the Greek wine industry?
Joining the EU in 1981
What is the most widely grown White grape in Greece and describe it and the wines it makes
Savatiano
Most common Greek grape; most planted
Over 10,000 Ha.s planted
V good drought resistance
Low acidity
Large volumes of inexpensive wines
Most common ingredient in Retsina w Roditis and Assyrtiko but can also produce well balanced dry whites
Very good quality from low yielding dry farmed bush wines
Most planted in central Greece
Subtle aromas of citrus, pear, stone fruit, Nutty Character with age
Peloponnese produces what percentage of Greek wine production?
30%
Xinomavro is used exclusively in which 2 Greek PDO wines?
Naoussa PDO and Amynteo PDO
What does Xinomavro taste like?
What aromas does it develop with age?
High tannin and acidity, medium colour, lacking fresh fruit aromas.
With age aromas of spice and earth
Retsina?
Retsina:
resinated white wine; commonly from Savatiano and Roditis
used in ancient times
sales boomed in the 1960s but poor quality
Pine resin used to preserve/flavour wine;
Originally used to seal the Amphorae
then used as an additive, possibly for flavouring purposes
to hide off flavours
Produced throughout Greece; most from hot central plains
Commonly from Savatiano and Roditis
Resin use in winemaking
added to the must;
wine left on lees, max 1 week after ferment (left longer in past)
leading to a more subtle integrated pine resin character
Legally protected category
Amount resin added controlled; min Acidity, Alcohol levels specified
Retsina does not comply by EU standards as it is not exclusively from grapes
Granted a ”wine of Appellation by tradition” (OKP in Greek)
Premium bottlings often from Assyrtiko improving reputation of Retsina
Training system of Santorini’s vineyards is unique, how so?
- Unique training system
- vines trained low in basket shape usually in a hollow;
- Vines are woven around previous year’s growth;
- When basket gets too bulky, Cut off & New basket started from a shoot;
- Specialised work ;
- Requires 4 times the labour of conventional trellis systems
Xinomavro is sometimes called the Greek what?
Nebbiolo
Mantinia PDO is located in which region of Greece?
Which grape is it most associated with?
Peloponnese
Moschofilero
Which grape (and 2 accessory grapes) - Santorini PDO?
Assyrtiko
w/ Athiri and Aidani
White wine production makes up what percent of Greek wine production?
70%
What is the only style of wine made in Naoussa?
Dry, red.
Describe the broad Greek climate and weather in as much detail as you can
Between 34 -42°N latitude
Mediterranean climate with short winters and very long hot summers (> drought)
Inland increasingly continental
Spring Frost an issue in Northern Greece eg: Amynteo
with most vineyards close enough to the sea to benefit from some cooling sea breezes & altitude a moderating factor
Winds: strong winds especially on Cyclades islands like Santorini in Aegean sea; constant threat( winds stop photosynthesis; drying & increases water stress; interrupts flowering, berry set, delays ripening & strong enough to destroy unprotected vines)
Rain: average 400-700mm
Little or no rain during growing season, except in mountains to N & W; Water stress common, irrigation essential
Santorini is exceptionally dry
The wines of Amynteo PDO, describe them and name a top producer
Wines
100% Xinomavro - Rose Permitted
Xinomavro wines
Lighter in body and lower in tannins than Naoussa
Tend to have more concentration from old vine stocks
Distinctive floral quality
Some making riper, more accessible styles today
Mid-Priced; Good to Very Good quality
ALPHA ESTATE – key producer
Climate of Amynteo?
Climate
o Northerly Aspect, exposed to cold Northerly winds
o leading cold summers, Cold winters; Site selection crucial
o Regions close to number of Lakes which moderate temps (would be extreme otherwise);
