Greece History Flashcards
When was the vine first domesticated in Greece?
Starting in the late Neolithic (4500-2000 BC), and widely cultivated by the early Minioan Bronze Age (2600-1100 BC) trade brought the vine to Crete.
What other parts of Europe did the Greeks spread cultivation?
- First vineyards in Massalia (modern-day Marseilles)
- Southern Italy varieties Greco (possibly) and Aglianico (less likely), may be Greek in origin
- Banks of the Danube
- Coastline of the Black Sea
What countries border Greece and where?
What seas surround Greece and where?
Albania- NW
Republic of Macedonia- North
Bulgaria- NE
Turkey- East
TheAegean Sealies to the east of themainland, theIonian Seato the west, theCretan Seaand theMediterranean Seato the south.
What is Retsina? What is it produced from today?
A PGI appellation for the aromatized wine flavored with Aleppo pine resin. Wine was transported through ancient Greece in amphorae, often sealed with pine resin to prevent spoilage, and over time the resultant flavor became an acquired taste. Today is produced as a white wine, from Savvatiano grapes and flavored with the addition of pine resin, rather than stored in resin-sealed casks. It can not be labeled with a vintage.
Which two large producers dominate the Greek wine industry?
Boutari and Tsantali.
When were the first wine laws implemented in Greece?
Greek wine laws were drawn up in 1969 and 1970 and refined in the early 1980s as Greece prepared to join theEU. Most of the countries appellations were established in 1971.
What are the two levels of PDO quality wine in Greece?
Controlled Appellation of Origin (AOC/OPE)-a status reserved for traditional sweet wines. (Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Eλεγχόμενης =Controlled Originated Origin Wines)
Appellation of Superior Quality (AOSQ/OPAP) (Οίνοι Ονομασίας Προελεύσεως Ανωτέρας Ποιότητος=Wines of High Quality Origin)
- Overseen by the Greek Wine Institute, these appellation laws conform to EU standards and resemble the French model.
- While these two separate categories remain, “PDO Wines of Greece” will appear on current and future bottles of wines featuring a designation of origin, especially those destined for export.
May PDO wines from Greece carry an age designation?
Yes
What does “Reserve”and “Grand Reserve” indicate on a bottle of wine from Greece?
Only for PDO wines:
Reserve: White- 1 year aging (at least 6 months and 3 months in bottle) Red-2 years aging for red wines, (1 year in barrel and six months in bottle.) Grand Reserve White- 2 years aging for white wines, (1 year in barrel and six months in bottle) Red- 4 years aging (18 months in barrel and 18 months in bottle)
What are the three categories below PDO in Greece?
- PGI-includes the Traditional Appellations (Retsina and Verdea) and integrates the wines of Greece’s formervin de payscategory, Topikos Inos.
- “Varietal”-table wines that carry a vintage and a variety on the label. Still awaiting its official unveiling in 2011
- “Table”- can not carry a vintage or variety on the label.
What is Verdea?
A PGI Traditional Appellation producing oxidative white wines on the island of Zakynthos in the Ionian Sea
What are two Traditonal PGI appellations in Greece?
—Retsina
—Verdea
What is kokkineli?
A rosé of Retsina, made from the pink-skinned Roditis grape.
How are the PGI categories divided?
—Regional (i.e. Peloponnesus and Crete)
—District (corresponds to the peripheral units of Greece, a form of political state that replaced prefectures during admin reform in 2010)
—Area (so small they may only include a single estate)
What does “Cava” indicate on a PGI bottle in Greece?
“Cava” indicates:
—White and Rosé PGI- 1 year of aging (six months in oak prior to bottling)
—Reds PGI-minimum three years of aging (at least 1 year in barrel.)
