Page 3 - Greek Wine HistoryEng

In the Byzantine period and until the fall of Constantinople (Instanbul), wine-producing methods develop
while wine retains its importance in daily life, economy and culture. Wine has played a key role in
Christianity as well, with monasteries dynamically entering the wine arena. During the time the Venetians
ruled in Greece (the islands of the Ionian and Aegean Sea, Crete, the Peloponnese) we see the most
famous and highly demanded perhaps historically wine, the Monemvasia varietal (Malvasia wine).

During the Ottoman period (1453-1821) the Turks did not interfere with Greek viticulture and wine
production which they encouraged for reasons related to tax collection, offering privileges. However,
vineyards were abandoned just because of tribute without however interfering with the preservation of
wine wealth, mainly through monasteries.

After the Greek revolution, which did not benefit the Greek vineyard, the establishment of the Greek
government coincided with efforts for reconstitution of vine growing and wine production which paid
off gradually, but in a long term.

After 1850 the first large wineries began to appear (Achaia Clauss, Cambas) and the first Greek
oenologists with European diplomas appear. Around the end of the same century, with the French
vineyard almost destroyed from phylloxera, Greek wine is directed mainly to France and due to
demand, currant wine (wine produced from currants) was largely produced.

This later lead to a currant crisis, because of the fall in demand and augmentation of vines with currants.
A little later, phylloxera hit Greece as well, leading wine producing regions to migration and land
abandonment.

Exports were limited to Mavrodafni and the wines of Samos, while the islands preserved many native
grape varieties, away from phylloxera. An introduction of anti-phylloxera vines made its appearance,
while Greece’s largest wineries (Tsantali, Boutari, Kourtaki) and cooperatives invested in equipment.

In the third quarter of the 20 century starts the modern era of Greek wine. In 1971 Greek wines were
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categorized for the first time based on their designation of origin, a process that is still being updated.
During the last decades Modern Greek Wine Renaissance took place. Small wineries, which later grew
considerably, took the lead, and Greece right now has state of the art technology and many gifted,
enthusiastic viticulturists, oenologists and winemakers.

The results are evident, since Greek wine is now a “trend” in important centers of the world, based on its
diversity and its uniqueness, while wine tourism is increasingly growing.

Greek wine history is continuing with the best possible and most modern way, on the same lands that
have hosted one of the most historic vineyards of the world for thousands of years now.