Page 5 - Greek Wine HistoryEng

Today, when everyone is looking for the different, Greek native grape varieties are the Greek vineyards
real treasure for modern wine lovers of the world, offering unique aromas and tastes, which cannot be
found in any other vineyard in the world. Off course among the Greek grape varieties there are
excellent ones as well as very rare cases, either as far as quality is concerned, either in terms of quantity.
Four of these, two white varieties, Assyrtiko (mainly in Santorini island) and Moschofilero (in Mantinia
plateau) and two red ones, Agiorgitiko (of Nemea) and Xinomavro, (in Naoussa and Amynteo) are in
the first line and Athiri, Vilana, Kydonitsa, Malagousia, Muscat of Alexandria, Debina, Roditis, Robola,
Savatiano (white) and Kotsifali, Limnio, Mavrodafni, Mavrotragano and Mavroudi (red) follow.

Agiorgitiko (r)
One of the two most important red varieties of the Greek vineyard which we come across mainly in the
Peloponnese and mostly in Nemea, but because of its dynamics, gradually in other parts of Greece too.
It is a multifunctional variety since, except from the fresh (tank) or barrel red PDO Nemea wines (often
with a potential of long aging) gives sweet PDO wines of an according categorization but also very
good rose wines, all of them with a rich, vivid and deep color. Their nose and mouth are seductive and
captivating. The dry, fresh red Agiorgitiko wines (from a tank) have aromas of fresh red fruits and are
characterized by the way they are easily drank and quench one’s thirst, because of their moderate
tannins. The ones that have been in a barrel can become highly concentrated and complex, in terms of
nose and mouth aromas, tastes and feel. Some find similarities between the wines from a barrel aged
Agiorgitiko and a Sangiovese one.

Aidani (w)
Aidani is a variety of the islands of the Aegean and its wines are characterized by complex, mainly herb
aromas and a delicate mouth of moderate acidity as well as alcohol, and medium body. It is rarely
vinified on its own, but usually is part of the PDO Santorini wines.

Assyrtiko (w)
If only one variety of Greece was to be characterized “world-class” it would be Assyrtiko. Originating
from the unique island of Santorini on which it thrives, has dominated most of mainland Greece,
because of the excellent results it has there. In Santorini, however, with the special climate (coastal
vineyards, strong winds, very limited rainfall) and mainly volcanic soil, creates exquisite wines. They retain
steel acidity in combination with a quite high alcohol content, a potential of very long aging and
complex, distinctive but complex aromas of fruits, citrus fruit and herbs, with a spicy and mainly,
incredibly mineral character. It is found on its own or in a blend, in dry and sweet wines (Vinsanto), PDO
Santorini and in PDO Monemvasia Malvasia wine. Wines from Assyrtiko are extremely friendly with food
and mature perfectly in a barrel.

Athiri (w)
A historical and ancient variety of the Aegean Sea, is also cultivated in the mainland of Greece (mainly
in the North). It produces very interesting dry wines and is appropriate for the production of very good
sparkling wines. Wines made of Athiri have fruity aromas of moderate intensity and an elegant palate,
with a refreshing acidity, medium body and moderate alcohol. We come across it on its own or in a
blend, in PDO Santorini, PDO Rhodes and PDO Cotes de Meliton.