Greece - Wine Regions Flashcards
In what three areas are the PDOs located?
- Macedonia
- Peloponnese
- Islands in the Aegean Sea
Macedonia
Where is it located?
Northern border of the country
Macedonia
What is the climate?
- Mountains: Continental
- Plain: Mediterranean
Macedonia
What is the avg. rainfall? (mountains and in the plain)
- Mountains: 650-700mm
- Plain: drier (rain shadow of mountains)
Macedonia
What are the two leading PDOs in the mountain area?
- Naoussa
- Amynteo
Macedonia
What is the soil type in the plain area?
Fertile soils
Macedonia
What type of quality comes from the plain area?
- Mostly higher-volume, but some good to very good examples
Macedonia
What are the two PGIs from the plain area that produce higher quality wines?
- Drama
- Kavala
Macedonia
What style of wine is the Drama valley known for?
High-quality, full-bodied Bordeaux blends
Macedonia
What other variety wines are produced in Drama and Kavala?
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Assyrtiko
- Malagousia
Macedonia
What varieties are grown in the PDOs Naoussa and Amynteo?
100% Xinomavro
PDO Naoussa
Where is it located and at what altitude?
- Mount Vermio (south-eastern slopes)
- 150-400m altitude
PDO Naoussa
What is the typical style? (variety, acidity, tannins, complexity, ageing, quality, price)
- Xinomavro
- High acidity
- High tannins
- Great complexity
- Potential to age for decades
- Good to outstanding
- Mostly mid-priced (some premium)
PDO Naoussa
Name two significant producers
- Thymiopoulos Vineyards
- Kir-Yianni
PDO Naoussa
Describe the recent trends in winemaking and grape growing
- Modern style with deeper color and less tannins (cold soaking/whole-bunch fermentation)
- Village or single-vineyard wines (due to micro climates)
PDO Amynteo
Where is it located?
Mount Vermio (north-western side - opposite to Naoussa)
PDO Amynteo
At what altitudes are vineyards located?
570-750m altitude
PDO Amynteo
Describe the climate based on where the vineyards are located
Northerly aspect: Cold northerly winds, leading to cool summers and cold winters
PDO Amynteo
What moderates the cold temperatures?
Several lakes nearby
PDO Amynteo
What are problems of vineyards closer to the lakes?
- Increased risk of rot
- More fertile soil
- Yields have to be controlled
PDO Amynteo
What is the typical style compared to Naoussa? (body, tannins, aromas, quality, price)
- Lighter in body
- Lower in tannins
- The best have floral notes
- Good to very good
- Mid-priced
PDO Amynteo
Name a significant producer
Alpha Estate
Peloponnese
What and where is it?
Peninsula in the southern part of the Greek mainland
Peloponnese
What percentage of vineyard plantings is located here?
30%
Peloponnese
What are the most significant PDOs?
- Nemea
- Mantinia
Peloponnese
What is the climate and how is it moderated?
- Moderate temperatures
- Moderated by altitude
Peloponnese
What type of soil is there?
Mostly poor, rocky soils
Peloponnese
Besides the PDO Nemea, what white grapes dominate this area?
- Moschofilero
- Roditis
Peloponnese
What type of wines and from what grapes are wines outside the PDOs produced?
- Large volumes of inexpensive wines
- Esp. from Roditis and Agiorgitiko
PDO Nemea
What grape varieties are allowed?
100% Agiorgitiko
PDO Nemea
What general styles of wines are permitted for production?
- Dry
- Sweet (rare)
PDO Nemea
What quality levels are produced?
- Acceptable and good quality inexpensive wines
- Very good and outstanding age worthy wines for premium and super-premium prices
PDO Nemea
Name two significant producers
- Gaia Wines
- Tselepos
PDO Nemea
What is the climate?
Mediterranean
PDO Nemea
What is the avg. annual rainfall?
400-900mm (high variations)
PDO Nemea
What are the three distinct zones and what are the altitudes?
- Lowest zone (230-400 m)
- Middle zone (450-650 m)
- Highest zone (650-1,000 m)
PDO Nemea
What is the climate/soil and what wines are produced in the lowest zone (230-400m)?
- Hottest zone
- Most fertile soil
- Usually inexpensive wines
- Also high-quality sweet wines
PDO Nemea
What is the climate/soil and what wines are produced in the middle zone (450-650m)?
- Cooler zone
- Poor, free-draining soils naturally limit yields
- Highest quality wines
PDO Nemea
What is the climate/soil and what wines are produced in the highest zone (650-1,000m)?
- Cool temperatures
- Clay soil
- Fresh red fruit flavors and harsh tannins -> Rosé production
- Potential for fresher style red wines with higher acidity is explored
PDO Mantinia
Where is it located?
- South and west of Nemea
- Plateau (>600m altitude)
PDO Mantinia
What is the climate?
- One of the coolest grape-growing areas in Greece, because of altitude
- Despite its southerly latitude
PDO Mantinia
At what time are grapes harvested?
- Usually starting October, sometimes November
- Grape do not reach full ripeness in cold years
PDO Mantinia
What varieties are allowed?
- White wines ONLY
- Min 85% Moschofilero
PDO Mantinia
What is the typical style of wine? (acidity, alcohol, body, aromas, quality, price)
- High acidity
- Low to medium alcohol
- Medium(-) to medium body
- Floral and slightly spicy aromas
- Good to very good in quality
- Usually mid-priced
PDO Mantinia
How are the wines made and what is their ageing potential?
- Fermented in stainless steel
- Tend to be drunk when young
PDO Mantinia
Name two significant producers
- Boutari
- Seméli Estate
Greek islands
Describe rainfall, soil, and hazards prevalent on the islands
- Very low rainfall
- Rocky soils with poor water retention
- Strong winds
Greek islands
Why did many growers decide to sell their land?
The difficult conditions make grape growing very expensive
Greek islands
Name 6 islands with high reputation and the style of wine they produce
- Santorini
- Paros (PDOs for still and sweet wines)
- Tinos
- Samos and Lemnos (famous for their sweet Muscats)
- Crete (gaining a reputation for high-quality wines from both indigenous and international varieties)
PDO Santorini
For what styles of wines is it known? (color, sweetness, variety)
- White
- Dry and sweet
- Primarily from Assyrtiko
PDO Santorini
How are the vines trained and why?
- Basket shape, low to the ground
- Strong winds
PDO Santorini
How are new vines planted?
Every twenty years or so, a new basket is started from a shoot
PDO Santorini
How much effort is the basket shaped training system?
Roughly 4 times the effort of conventional trellis systems
PDO Santorini
What is the avg. annual rainfall and what is the consequence?
- Very low rainfall
- Hence, vine density is low: < 2,500 vines / ha
PDO Santorini
What is the soil?
Volcanic and very infertile
PDO Santorini
What is the max yield and what is it often in practice?
- 60 hL/ha (lowest permitted max yields in Greece)
- 15 hL/ha (from oldest vines)
PDO Santorini
What’s the min amount of Assyrtiko for dry and sweet wines?
- Dry: min 75%
- Sweet: min 50%
PDO Santorini
What is the typical style of the dry wines? (acidity, alcohol, aroma, ageing, quality, price)
- High acidity
- Medium to high alcohol
- Distinctive smoky characteristic and citrus, stone, and tropical fruit
- Highest quality wines can age for a decade, developing a honey, toasty character
- Good to outstanding in quality
- Mid to premium priced
PDO Santorini
How is Vinsanto made?
- Late-harvested grapes
- Dried in the sun for up to two weeks
- Aged for at least two years in oak
- Often casks not fully filled to encourage oxidation
PDO Santorini
What is the typical style of Vinsanto? (sweetness, acidity, aromas, quality, price)
- Sweet (200–300 g/L)
- High acidity
- Raisins, coffee and chocolate
- Very good to outstanding quality
- Premium to super-premium prices
PDO Santorini
Name to significant producers
- Estate Argyros
- Domaine Sigalas
