Yamas! We take you on a trip to this country of classical antiquity, sun-drenched islands and… delicious wines. This country may not immediately be on your wine radar, but Greece is a very old and at the same time upcoming wine country. From the god Dionysus to modern winemakers who give traditions a new look: Greece is a gem for the adventurous wine lover. In this blog we take you on a journey of discovery along the authentic grapes, diverse regions and special wine stories that make Greece so unique.
Unique archipelago
Greece consists of over 6,000 islands and islets, spread across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Each island has its own unique landscape and character. From the white houses and blue domes of Santorini to the green hills and olive groves of Corfu. Add to that a good climate, and you have the ideal conditions for wine growing!
The climate differs between Mediterranean on the coast to continental in the mountains. On the Ionian Peninsula, the most famous part of Greece located on the west side, you have warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. In the east it is a lot drier than on the west side. But everywhere in Greece it is pleasantly warm.
The terroir of Greece is diverse and offers ideal conditions for wine growing. The soil consists mainly of limestone and clay, which provides minerality and complexity in the wines. Because the sea is always nearby, you have a cooling breeze, which helps to keep wines fresh with nice acids. The combination of sun, sea and soil makes Greece perfect for growing both white and blue grape varieties.
Old wine culture in a new era
The Greeks have been making wine for over 6,500 years. This makes it perhaps the oldest wine country in Europe. It is therefore certainly no coincidence that the Greeks had a real god of wine: Dionysus. Since the 1960s, Retsina in particular has come to dominate our knowledge of Greek wine. This resin wine certainly has a place in Greek history, but is absolutely no longer an ambassador for modern winemakers. Over the past 20 years, they have been busy putting the authentic grape varieties and terroirs back on the map, but in a modern guise. Everything to put Greek wine on the international map as well.
Main wine regions and their grapes
Greece is home to many wine regions, from its sunny islands to its cool mountains. And in those regions, you’ll find hundreds of indigenous grape varieties that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Names like Assyrtiko, Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko may not roll off the tongue immediately, but they sure do go down a treat! We’ll walk you through the three most famous regions: Naoussa, Nemea and the island of Santorini.
In the northern part of Greece lies Naoussa, the home of the Xinomavro grape. The winemakers here make wines with high acidity and tannins, which become softer and more complex with age. Wine from Naoussa is often elegant and reminiscent of Barolos from Italy – but with a Greek twist. Expect flavours of dark berries, tomato and even olives. There you have it, that Greek twist!
In the Peloponnese lies Nemea, the birthplace of the Agiorgitiko grape. Due to its favourable location and good climate, Nemea is considered by some to be one of the best wine regions in the world. They also call it the ‘Bordeaux of Greece’. Another nickname: the red Agiorgitiko wines from Nemea are also called ‘Blood of Hercules’. According to legend, the wines are so red because the vineyards were coloured by the blood of the lion that Hercules killed there.
Aged Agiorgitikos are deep dark red with concentrated flavours of cherries and spices and ripe tannins. If they are not matured, you are left with fresh red wines with good acidity and still soft tannins. In both cases very drinkable and good to combine with many dishes. Oh, and they also make fresh rosé from it: a versatile grape!
In the south you will find Santorini, a volcanic island and besides a tourist hotspot also a wine paradise. The dry and windy conditions make it a challenging place for wine growing. Here the Assyrtiko grape grows in a unique way: in a low basket-like shape, called ‘kouloura’. This protects the grapes from the strong wind and hot sun. The result? Wines with a striking minerality, fresh acidity and a salty touch that seems to come straight from the volcanic soil.
Have you already tasted Assyrtiko, Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko? Don't worry! At the end of this blog we have some tips for lesser-known Greek wines from small 'boutique' wineries.
Special Greek habits
Greece is full of surprises, not only in terms of landscape and culture, but also when it comes to wine. We have gathered a number of remarkable and funny facts that you may not have known.
In the south of Greece, on the Mani peninsula, wines are still aged in the traditional way in amphorae – large clay pots that are buried underground. This method gives the wine a special, earthy taste and is reminiscent of the times of the ancient Greeks. Real traditional wine!
Crazy about reptiles and wine? Then go to Crete! On this island there are vineyards where iguanas and other reptiles are a common part of the vineyard. They are used to control insect pests in a natural way. In this way, even the local fauna contributes to the wine production!
In the time of the ancient Greeks, wine was often stored in clay pots, which were sealed with resin to make them airtight. This is how the unique taste of Retsina was created, a white wine with a pronounced pine scent. Retsina has a rather dusty image, you have to like it... Often found in the many souvenir tourist traps.
Vinsanto: the forgotten gold
You probably know Vinsanto from Italy, the delicious golden dessert wine in the small bottles. But did you know that Vinsanto originally comes from Greece? It is one of the most special wines from Greece, from Santorini to be precise. It is made from grapes that have been dried in the sun to concentrate the sugars. The wine matures in oak barrels and develops intense flavors of dried fruit, honey and caramel. According to some legends, even the Venetian aristocrats drank this wine during their parties and that is how it ended up in Italy.
Short and sweet
Greece is a wine country not to be missed! With a wide range of indigenous grapes, centuries-old winemaking traditions and modern innovations, it offers something for everyone. From crisp Assyrtikos to robust Xinomavros, and from piney Retsina to sweet Vinsanto – there is so much to discover. So, next time you go to the wine shop, stock up on a Greek bottle and be amazed by what this beautiful country has to offer. Yamas!
Want to taste it yourself?
We were allowed to taste three delicious and modern Greek wines from Soukou.nl. At Soukou you will find exclusive wines from small wineries in Greece, with a good selection of wines up to €15. Right up our alley! We have already tasted and reviewed wines from Malagouzia and Savatiano for you. Click on the photos to read the review!*
*The wines we tasted are also available as a tasting box! You will receive the Blender Salty Tony, Orivatis Old Vines and Petriessa Malagouzia in a box for €37.50. Click here to order!
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