Greece

Climate

Warm mediterranean

Summer temp up to 30°C

Problem: drought, water stress

Wind → can destroy the vines

Altitude and coastal ares → can moderate the temperatures

Three important wine regions and their grape

Naoussa - Xinomavro

Nemea - Agiorgitiko

Santorini - Assirtiko

Naussa

• northern Greece

• vineyards at 400 m

• PDO for Xinomavro (similar to Nebbiolo)

The wine:

• high tannins

• high acidity

• medium color (tends to tawny with time)

• long lived

Nemea

• north of Peloponnese

• vineyards altitude = 230 - 900 m slm

• 230 m → hot = too jammy, early drinking, black fruit

• 900 m → fresher, higher acidity, less fine tannins, best for rosè production

• best altitude = 600 m

• PDO for Agiorgitiko

The wine

• deep ruby

• high smooth tannins

• low to med acidity

• red fruit and spice

• new oak

Santorini

• windy vulcanic island, flat

• the permanent wood has a basket shape with the fruit growing inside = low yield, low planting density, high labour intensity

• PDO for dry and sweet wine made from Assirtiko

Dry wine from Santorini

• natural high acidity

• concentrated fruit flavours

• ripe citrus, stone fruits

• very good quallity

Sweet wine from Santorini

• known as VinoSanto

• late havested grapes are sun dried fpr 14 days

• aged in old oak for min 2 years

• very sweet, balanced with high acidity

• oxidative character = nuts and caramel