Introduction: Discovering Greek Wines – A Palate Journey
On this 4-part collection, “Greek Wines. Small-Scale + Massive Affect,” we have a look at why Greek wines must be in your radar.
Indigenous Grape Varieties: Greece boasts over 300 indigenous grapes, every with its personal distinct flavors and traits. This spectacular variety permits wine lovers to discover a variety of grape expressions that showcase Greece’s wealthy viticultural heritage. From the crisp and mineral-driven Assyrtiko to the fragrant and floral Moschofilero, there’s a Greek wine to swimsuit each palate. Exploring these indigenous varieties is like embarking on a voyage by Greece’s terroir and tradition.
Distinctive Terroir: Greece’s various local weather, ample sunshine, and distinctive soil composition contribute to the distinctive high quality of its wines. The sunny and dry local weather permits grapes to completely ripen, leading to concentrated flavors and vibrant acidity. The skinny and poor soil, typically present in mountainous areas, forces the vines to battle, producing decrease yields however grapes of remarkable high quality. This mixture of things creates wines with complexity, depth, and a powerful sense of place.
Charming White Wines: Greek white wines have gained worldwide recognition for his or her excellent high quality and distinct character. Assyrtiko, primarily grown in Santorini, produces bone-dry wines with excessive acidity, pronounced minerality, and refreshing citrus flavors. Malagousia and Moschofilero provide fragrant profiles with floral notes and hints of unique fruits. These white wines are versatile and pair effectively with varied cuisines, making them a pleasant addition to any wine assortment.
Expressive Pink Wines: Greek purple wines, notably Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko, have additionally garnered consideration for his or her depth and complexity. Xinomavro, typically in comparison with Italy’s Nebbiolo, produces age-worthy reds with agency tannins, vibrant acidity, and flavors of darkish fruits, spices, and earth. Agiorgitiko, often known as the “Blood of Hercules” delivers elegant and medium-bodied wines with purple fruit flavors and silky tannins. These purple wines provide a singular twist on traditional grape varieties and supply a compelling expertise for wine fanatics.
Meals-Pleasant Types: Greek wines are identified for his or her food-friendliness and their skill to superbly complement the nation’s delicacies. With its emphasis on recent elements, fragrant herbs, and vibrant flavors, Greek delicacies pairs exceptionally effectively with Greek wines. Whether or not you’re having fun with a seafood feast with a crisp Assyrtiko, pairing a lamb dish with a daring Xinomavro, or savoring Greek meze with a flexible Agiorgitiko, Greek wines elevate the eating expertise and create harmonious pairings.
Attica Wine Area: Subtle and Basic
Wine manufacturing in Greece has a wealthy historical past and is deeply ingrained within the nation’s tradition. The varied vary of wine areas and terroirs contribute to the big selection of flavors and types present in Greek wines. The 4 most important wine areas in Greece, embrace Northern Greece, Central Greece, Southern Greece, and the Aegean Islands, and every has its personal distinctive traits and microclimates. These areas embody varied soil varieties, grape varieties, and geographical influences, which all affect the wines produced.
When it comes to terroirs, Greece might be categorised into 4 distinct classes: mountainous and semi-mountainous, continental, volcanic, and coastal. Every terroir has its personal impression on grape rising and wine manufacturing. The mountainous and semi-mountainous areas profit from cooler temperatures and better altitudes, resulting in wines with vibrant acidity. The continental areas expertise larger temperature variations, whereas the volcanic soils contribute to wines with mineral and earthy traits. The coastal areas, influenced by their proximity to the ocean, typically produce wines with a definite maritime affect.
Attica options strongly in Greek mythology surrounding wine. The parable of Icarius serves as a cautionary story in regards to the risks of extra and the implications that may come up from unfamiliarity with sure customs or substances. It additionally highlights the connection between the area of Attica and the traditional custom of winemaking, as Dionysus selected this space to impart his information and provoke the cultivation of grapes and wine manufacturing.
Attica is a district in Central Greece, positioned north of the Peloponnese peninsula and residential to Athens. The world consists of practically 4000 sq. kilometers of land, with assorted topography and incorporates a scorching, dry Mediterranean local weather (delicate winters, ample sunshine, cooling influences such because the robust, dry north winds of the Aegean Sea), preferrred for the cultivation of grapes, and famend for its Retsina manufacturing.
Attica is the biggest wine area in Greece with many wineries accessible inside a 30-minute drive from Athen’s middle. In Attica, there aren’t any particular geographical appellations designated for wines. Retsina wines are categorised as “Appellation by Custom,” in Greek wine legislation. Conventional viticultural practices, comparable to bush coaching and fermentation in oak and amphorae are mixed with trendy expertise and experience to make sure high quality.
Attica encompasses roughly 6,500 hectares of vineyards, the place each indigenous and chosen international grape varieties are grown. Savvatiano and Roditis are the dominant white grape varieties within the area, accounting for about 80% of the winery space. Savvatiano is very notable for its function in producing Retsina, whereas Roditis is used for making kokkineli, a rosé wine.
Retsina is uniquely flavored with pine resin in the course of the winemaking course of. Fortuitously, the evolving wine trade in Attica acknowledges modifications in client wine preferences and have adjusted the Retsina palate expertise by introducing grape varieties like Roditis and Assyrtico to provide Retsina wines with decrease ranges of resin, delivering a extra delicate and up to date expression of the model.
Attica additionally cultivates worldwide grape varieties, together with Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. These grapes are grown within the mountainous northern a part of the area the place greater altitudes provide a cooler local weather which helps these varieties develop their full potential and produce wines with well-balanced flavors and acidity.
Though white grape varieties prevail in Attica, notable purple grape varieties comparable to Mandilaria and Agiorgitiko are cultivated within the area. These purple varieties thrive in Attica’s fertile soil and are used to provide a few of Greece’s most interesting purple wines.
General, the wine manufacturing in Attica, Greece, exemplifies the nation’s wealthy wine tradition, various grape varieties, and dedication to producing high-quality wines by a harmonious steadiness of custom and innovation.
Wine Notes
1. Fragou. Savvatiano 2022. PCI. Attica. Winery of Spata, Voulia (single winery). Pre-fermentation maceration (chilly soak) in a managed surroundings at low temperatures. Acreage yield is restricted to be able to get the very best quality grapes from the winery of 21 acres in Pikermi.
In regards to the Grape. Savvatiano
Savvatiano is a white Greek grape with a wealthy historical past, historically used as a base grape for Retsina wine. It possesses excessive drought tolerance, making it a great selection for cultivation in varied areas of Greece, notably in Attica. It’s admired for its versatility, which permits for the manufacturing of each refreshing and fragrant wines.