The Greeks played a fundamental role in the history of wine. They not only spread vines and knowledge of winemaking to many nations but also were extremely enthusiastic consumers, incorporating wine into a range of cultural activities. This created lasting associations that continue to inform wine’s elevated reputation and stature. Wine was of religious importance (Dionysus, god of wine and therefore hedonism, which evolved to become Rome’s Bacchus) and military consequence (it was rationed to soldiers), was celebrated for its medicinal properties, was the liquid fuel of philosophers, and was drunk both by leaders and the lower classes. It was also a yardstick against which the Greeks measured their enemies. Beer-drinking societies such as the Gauls were looked down upon, and those that consumed undiluted wine, such as Thracians, were equally scorned. In short, the Greeks viewed not just the consumption of wine, but the proper consumption of wine, as essential to keeping civilization civilized. Toward this end, the Greek oenohoos could even be considered the forerunner to the sommelier. These proto-sommeliers were responsible for blending wine and water during the era’s many symposia, in an effort to stoke spirited discourse while avoiding crass drunkenness—a fine balance indeed.
Depiction of an oenohoos
What is defined today as “Greek wine” is wine made within Greece’s current political boundaries. This sounds straightforward, but those boundaries have changed many times over the
Hey Brandon! 85% correct. The guide is updated. Thank you!
I believe under the Santorini section, it should explain Assytriko is a minimum 85% not 75% for PDO dry wines.
Hi Brandon, you're correct that other grapes are permitted for PDO wines. Thanks for the correction!
"The main grapes of Rhodes are Athiri, which excels on the upper slopes—where it is the only grape permitted for PDO wines—"
However, the compendium says Rhodes PDO whites are minimum 70% Athiri with Assyrtiko and Malagousia allowed. Can someone provide some clarity here please. Thanks.
It keeps coming up that Naoussa has an ongoing disucssion about crus. The guide mentions 13 crus. The only information I can find are about the nine villages (Naoussa website, Wines of Greece website, Lazarakis' "The Wines of Greece"). It looks unofficial but could anyone point me to significant crus to know for this PDO? Thank you!
Thanks!
FYROM doesn't exist anymore! The new name of the country north of Greece is North Macedonia.
Hi Martin, Verdea Zakynthos is a PGI, and there are quite a few PGIs for Retsina that are followed by the name of a district or area (i.e. PGI Retsina of Attica). Wines of Greece lists these wines of "traditional designation" under PGI. That said, I have seen references to Retsina (without a district or area) being recognized as a PDO, but I haven't been able to locate a law change that acknowledges this. I'm going to do a bit more fact-checking, but I'm going to change the Compendium to match Wines of Greece.
if I understand this correct, OKP was/is the appellation for Retsina/Verdea but I struggle to understand in by which EU category it is covered. In the Compendium its listed as PDO (OPAP, OPE, OKP) but here it is referred to as the only 2 traditional PGI's. Thanks in advance