Greek wines and their history

Publicity

Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece has always been a reference in subjects such as Philosophy, Dramaturgy, and Literature. Greek Mythology has also always been successful, especially in cinema. Always portrayed with a cup in his hands, Dionysus is considered the God of Wine, knowledgeable about the main secrets of grape planting and harvesting. With such a strong mythology surrounding the beverage, it is astonishing that many people still are unaware of the rich culture that surrounds Greek wines.

An impressive variety of grapes

Greece played a very important role in the history of wine and was the gateway for this beverage to the entire Western world, thus its wine culture is one of the oldest in our civilization. The country has a great diversity of soils and a contrast of mountainous regions with a coastline that, when all the islands are added up, corresponds to almost twice the coastline of Brazil, which explains an estimated quantity of around 300 native grape varieties. Motivated by commercial factors, the Greeks introduced international grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, etc.), but recently, a new generation of winemakers has turned their attention back to native varieties, exploring their unique characteristics developed in their terroir.

Styles and their main representatives

Greece produces various styles of wine, but some still stand out due to their unique raw materials and distinctive flavor:

• • Whites: with strong representatives, such as Assyrtiko and Malagousia, these wines are usually rich in palate and aroma
• • Reds: Agiorgitiko and Xinomavro are two of the major representatives of this highly fruity style.
• • Dessert wine: we can say that Vinsanto is a sure name when it comes to dessert wines. A fantastic contrast between bitterness and sweetness.

Prominent Wine Regions:

• • Aegean Islands: including well-known destinations such as Santorini, Paros, and Kos, this region has a volcanic soil, full of minerals. The main production of the region is Vinsanto, made from the Assyrtiko grape.
• • Macedonia: with a temperate climate, the region is perfect for cultivating foreign grape varieties, producing excellent varieties of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
• • Peloponnese: a mountainous region in the south of the Balkan Peninsula, Peloponnese has a typically Mediterranean, but mild climate.

Ready to venture into the world of Greek wines?