CENTRAL GREECE & EVOIA

Central Greece and Euboea are responsible for about one third of Greek wine production. One would expect a large selection of grape varieties in these areas, however, due to the dry and warm climate and the destruction of vines by the phylloxera pest during the first half of this century, we mainly find the white Savatiano and pinkish Roditis. Central Greece and the Savatiano variety are widely known for the resinated dry white wine they produce. Going back in history, retsina originated from the use of resin to seal an amphora (a large clay pitcher used to transport liquids). Not only did the resin produce a thin film on the surface of the wine, thus reducing oxidation, but also masked any faults found in the wine. An appellation by tradition wine popular amongst the older traditional population in Greece, Retsina has incurred a negative effect on foreigners opinion of Greek wine. This is due to the multitude of producers, especially household ones, that mask the lesser quality wines' faults by adding resin. An exception to this norm is the Retsina produced by Kourtakis who has exported his label to many countries over the years.

Attica & Evoia: Most of the vineyards in this area are located on the eastern coast and are dominated by Savatiano (Attica 90%, Euboea 70%, Voeotia 50%). Despite this fact, cultivations of other Greek and French varieties are on the rise, especially that of Cabernet Sauvignon. A remarkable example of such a fruitful attempt can be found in Atalandi, close to Lamia, at the Hatzimihalis estate which has a wide selection of varieties. Moreover, small producers have taken advantage of the Savatiano and Roditis varieties, which can have remarkable results when cultivated in the right microclimate.

Local Wines - (Vin de Pays)

MACEDONIA & THRACE

[ What is ]

Vergina : The tomb of Alexander the Great , King of Macedonia , found in Greece

The city of Aigai, the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia , was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece. The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and the burial ground with more than 300 tumuli, some of which date from the 11th century B.C. One of the royal tombs in the Great Tumulus is identified as that of Philip II, who conquered all the Greek cities, paving the way for his son Alexander and the expansion of the Hellenistic world.

Naoussa: The red variety of Xynomavro is cultivated in this area at low altitudes and covers approximately an area of 7,000 hectares. Naoussa used to be a wine producing center of northern Greece up until the beggining of the 19th century. Phylloxera hit the area at the end of the century and it received the appellation of origin distinction in 1971.

Goumenissa: This region has less acreage and a different terroir and microclimate than Naoussa. It received the its appellation in 1981 and besides Xynomavro, producers can use the Negoska variety. It is located just north of Naoussa.

Amindeo: The vineyards cover an area of 550 hectares and are located at a higher altitude than those of Naoussa.

Chalkidiki: From an oenological point of view, the most important area here is the the western coast of Sithonia where the Domaine Carras is located. At 450 hectares it is one of the largest in Europe. Roditis and Limnio are widely planted but there is also a range of fench varieties planted, such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the eastern leg of the peninsula, Mount Athos' 100 hectares of vineyards have been developed by the Tsantalis company. The main varieties cultivated are Cabernet Sauvignon, Xynomavro, and Limnio.

Appellations of Origin of Superior Quality

Local Wines - (Vin de Pays)

The Roads of Greek Wines

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The History

Vine and Wine.
The origin of the vine is older than that of man. Although there are numerous findings by archeologists many reports in ancient writer's texts and quite a few illustrations on pots, we cannot say with certainty that the history of the vine is well documented. Even before the Ice Ages, findings show that vines were found, enen in polar areas. During the Ice Age, the vine began its journey from the northern, colder areas to the areas with a milder climate which could help its growth. These areas were Caucasus, (which is considered to be its place of origin) and Mesopotamia. These lands, as well as ancient Egypt must by thought as the birthplaces of viticulture and of course of wine.

As for wine, its history is interlaced with that of man himself. Scientists agree to the fact, that human civilization begins when man stopped being a nomad and started cultivating the land. It would be also correct to assume that this pass happened when the first "farmers" started cultivating the vine.

The vine tied those ex-nomads to the earth, because it takes many years until it produces fruits. Wine production although, is a fact which cannot be defined precisely in time. Stones of grapes found in the caves of prehistoric peoples of Caucasus, Mesopotamia, Egypt and - later - of Greece, refer to the wine and associate it with the Gods. One thing thus is certain - that its origin lies at least 5.000 years from today.

It is not historically known when viticulture started in Greece. It might be around the 15 century B.C. Also there is no consensus about the route it followed to come to our country. Some say it came from Phoenicea to Crete, from there to Naxos and the rest of Greece followed. Others believe that Aitolia was firt, others believe it come from Thrace. The route is not that important, since it spreaded rapidly and soon became on of the main economic resources of Greece - something that can be confirmed from the many ancient coins depicting grapes. We can be certain that wine had a special place in the Greeks lives in such an extend that Dionysus (Bachus), the good of wild vegetation at the beginning, was associated with the grape and its blessed product almost exclusively.

Greeks became the best winemakers, after their restless spirit brought them to Egypt and Phoenicea from where they learned the art of wine-making. Their travels and the colonisations of Mediterranean coasts set the beginingns of modern viticulture and brought the wine to Southern Europe. Countries considered to have a tradition in wine production such as France, Italy, or Spain owe much to those untiring traders.

Quality Wines Produced in Registered Areas (V.Q.P.R.D.)

As the title signifies, the wines included in this category are of a certain quality and the grapes from wich they are produced, come from a certain geographic area (zone). The producing area (p.e. Archanes) may be included on their label as well as the indication VQPRD.

V.Q.P.R.D. wines are : (alphabetically listed)

Aghialos - Amintaio - Archanes - Goumenissa - Daphnes - Zitsa - Limnos - Mantinia - Kefalinian Maurodafni - Patras Maurodafni - Kefalinian Moschato - Mesenicola - Limnos Moschato - Patras Moschato - Patras Rio Mosvhato - Rhodes Moschato - Naoussa - Nemea - Paros - Patras - Plagies Melitona - Peza - Rapsani - Rhodes - Kefalinian Rombola - Samos - Santorini - Sitia

Local wines are (and the list grows every day)

Agioritikos - Aigiopelagitikos - Attikis - Attikos - Vorion Plagion Pentelikou - Vilitsas - Dramas - Epanomitikos - Thessalikos - Thivaikos - Kraniotikos - Kritikos - Letrinon - Mekedonikos - Messimvriotikos - Paianitikos - Plagies Vertiskou - Plagies Kithairona - Plagies Petrotou - Plagies Orinis Korinthias - Pilias - Siatistinos - Sirianos - Trifilias - Tirnavou