Your Guide to Greek Wine
Greece produces some of the most unique and historically rich wines in the world. Although it is available in stores and online, it is not yet all that popular in America. This is the perfect wine to try for wine lovers looking to expand their wine collection.
Greek wine is one of the best-kept secrets in the wine world. We guarantee that going Greek will give you a new favorite wine (that you most likely can’t pronounce).
Here is your guide to help you navigate the elusive world of Greek wines and help you find one that you will love.
History of Greek Wine
Greece is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. The ancient Greeks honed their winemaking skills and historians suggest that wine production in Greece has been happening for at least 6,500 years. Back then it was mostly made in small house-hold or communal batches or sold in small tavernas.
The Republic of Georgia is the oldest wine-producing region in the world, with historians dating winemaking back 8,000 years. Winemakers in Georgia still makes its historic orange wine.
However, before you start feeling bad that Greece never got the attention she deserved, know that her wines were quite popular during the Roman Empire. Wines from Greece were traded up and down the Mediterranean and were especially popular in Italy during the Roman Empire.
In fact, you can thank Greece for Italian wines. While forming their colonies in Italy, they brought Vitis Vinifera grapes and started cultivating these plants in parts of Italy, as well as southern France Spain. Greece made big strides to jumpstart what we now know as ‘Old World’ wines.
One of Greece’s most popular gods is Dionysus, the god of wine and festivities.
While the history of Greek wine is a bit much for a blog post, we suggest researching it a bit more. One of the best books on Greek wine and its history is The Wines of Greece by Konstantinos Lazarakis.
Appellation System
The Greek appellation system categorizes their wines into several groups, including:
- Protected Designation of Origin (PDO): Superior quality and production in the historic viticultural regions of Greece
- Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): Local wines, further divided into regional and district wines
- Wines of Traditional Appellation: These wines are still made in their traditional ways. One example, Retsina, is flavored with pine resin. Some of these traditional wines also fall under PGI.
- Epitrapezios Oinos: Table wines. These table wines are made with strict winemaking techniques that ensure consistency. These also might also fall into the regional, traditional, or branded categories. The label Cava means aged or reserve blend; not to be confused with the Spanish sparkling wine.
Wine Regions
Grapes are grown almost everywhere in Greece. While a small country, there is a wide variety of soils and climates. These include mountainous, coastal, and continental climates; many of which have volcanic soils.
The wine regions are placed into five territories, further broken down into appellations.
Northern Greece
This wet climate region includes Macedonia and Epirus.
Macedonia is one of the largest regions in Greece. This region is mountainous with rocky soil. Vines thrive here. Both native varietals and the French varietals Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are grown here. Appellations include Amyntaio, Epanomi, Goumenissa, and Naoussa.
Epirus has little wine production. This is a cooler region that has snowfall in the winter months. The grapes are slow to ripen and very acidic. Epirus is known for its sparkling wine production. The only appellation is Zitsa.
Aegean Islands
This region produces more wine than you would think. The soil is generally dry and infertile. However, grape growers have planted vines on steep terraces and pruned them to make sure that the grapes are getting as many nutrients as possible. Planting on steep terraces also reduces erosion and helps the vines retain water.
This arid climate region includes the appellations of the island of Santorini, Samos, Lemnos, Paros, and Rhodes.
Central Greece
This Meditteranean region includes Thessaly and Attica.
Thessaly has three PDO appellations; Rapsani, Anhialos, and Messenikola.
Attica is known for its Retsina or resin wine. Attica does not have any designated appellations. Retsina is the official wine of Athens.
Southern Greece
This Meditteranean region includes Crete and Peloponnese.
Crete has a history of winemaking that dates back to 5000 BC. Ancient wine presses were also discovered here. Like the Aegean Islands, vines are planted on steep hillsides, although they have more fertile soil that is rich in limestone, sand, and clay. Crete is home to multiple appellations that include Archanes, Dafnes, Peza, and Sitia.
Peloponnese is more famous for Olympia and Sparta than wine. However, they are home to 17 appellations, most notably Mantineia and Nemea.
Ionian Islands
Chances are you will not find wine from the Ionian Islands anywhere outside of Greece. In fact, most of this wine does not make it to the mainland. Low production and high tourism guarantee that most of this wine is consumed very quickly on the islands. They also grow large amounts of currants and olives.
Appellations include Kefalonia, Corfu, Zakynthos, and Lefkada.
Varietals
Just as you were getting the hang of French, Italian, and Spanish varietal pronunciations…let’s throw in some Greek vocabulary. For now, it’s more important to be familiar with the varietal names than with the appellation names so that you can know what you are buying or what you should be looking for.
All of these varietals are indigenous grapes.
Agiorgitiko
This is the most popular red varietal among Greece. This varietal comes in a range of styles from rose to tannic red. The most notable Agiorgitiko wines are from Peloponnese.
This wine is tannic, with medium acidity, and a full body. Nutmeg, black pepper, plum, and blackberry are common flavors.
Pair with roasted meats, spaghetti, and spicy international dishes.
Agiorgitiko is similar to Barbera and Merlot.
Assyrtiko
Assyrtiko is a popular white wine in Greece. Some of the best bottles come from Santorini.
This white wine is dry, highly acidic, and light-bodied. Common flavors include saline, beeswax, and lime. Pair with Cretan cuisine or light vegetable-based dishes.
Assyrtiko is similar to Albarino and dry Riesling.
Moschofilero
Moschofilero is a unique white grape that has pink skin, which can be made into a rose wine. These vines are grown near Peloponnese.
This wine is aromatic, off-dry, with medium acidity. Pair with salmon or light salads.
Moschofilero is similar to Muller-Thurgau and Gewurztraminer.
Savatiano
Savatiano is Greece’s most planted varietal. This white wine is subtle and low in acidity, body, and alcohol
Common flavors include lemon curd, pine resin, honeydew, and green apple. Pair with Mexican food or light pastas.
Savatiano is similar to Chardonnay and Semillon.
Xinomavro
Xinomavro is commonly grown in Noaussa, Greece. This red wine is tannic, acidic, and great for aging
Common flavors include tobacco, plum, and allspice. Pair with cheesy dishes and roasted meats.
Xinomavro is similar to Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, and Syrah.
Other Varietals
Other grape varieties include Malagousia, Retsina, Rapsani, Vinsanto, Muscat, Athiri, and Mavrodaphne.
Where to Buy
Greek wine can be tricky to get your hands on. Unsurprisingly, the Greeks drink most of what they produce. They import and export very little wine. Much of the selection in America is at larger and specialty wine shops.
If you do not live near a larger wine shop that carries Greek wine, we suggest finding it online. Places like wine.com. They actually have a large selection of Greek wines that range from $15 to $40. Top producers to add to your wine list are Boutari, Sigalas, Robola Cooperative, and Gaia Estate.
Make Wine Wednesday a bit more interesting by hosting an International Wine Tour night. Grab a couple of bottles of Greek wine, along with wines from other little known regions.
Greece is also known for its famous Ouzo liquor, which can be found in liquor stores and online.
