How to choose wine on holiday? Reading the wine list in Greece will no longer seem so daunting.
Greece is certainly one of the most popular destinations to spend our summer holidays, owing to its abundant historical and archaeological heritage, which enables tourists to diversify their activities: not just uncontaminated beaches but also places that we learned about as children, in history books and which have enormous charm!
Many of you will likely remember a very particular wine called Retsina, which is produced mainly from Savatiano grapes and aged in barrels with the addition of Aleppo pine resin – a very common variety in Attica and the rest of the country. The wine has a rustic and unusual profile for the modern palate, but it is probably the closest thing to wine made in ancient times, when there was no control over temperatures and chemicals, etc., to prevent the fermented product from becoming vinegar and it required protection from oxidation.
Let’s embark on our voyage to discover Greek wines.
The different types of wine on the Greek islands
Deep blue sea and sky, white houses that create strong contrasts with the volcanic rocks: this is the magical Greek island of Santorini. Breathtaking sunsets can be observed in Oia, whilst sipping a sharp, savoury wine produced with Assyrtiko grapes, the vine that best interprets this windswept land. The vines are traditionally grown in the form of a basket, rolled up on themselves, so as to let the bunches hang inside and offer protection from the elements. Characteristics of this white wine include the biting acidity, the lime, passion fruit and beeswax aromas, and the mineral and saline notes on the palate. Perfect paired with a Greek salad boasting feta, tomatoes, oregano and olives or with shellfish. To be served in medium-sized glasses at a temperature of approximately 8-10 degrees.
If you happen to find yourself on the Ionian islands – facing Puglia and boasting a verdant, rich history, countless legends and pristine beaches (shipwreck beach in Zakynthos, for example), don’t miss the opportunity to taste Kefalonia’s Rebola: a wine featuring an abundance of personality, fruity aromas – including peach, honey and acacia – in addition to a vibrant acidity and savoury finish with almond notes. Perfect paired with locally-produced goat’s cheese.
The island of Crete, where you can visit the Palace of Knossos (linked to the legend of the Minotaur) and the splendid beaches including Elafonissi, offers a host of wonderful wines produced using Vidiano grapes, a native white variety recently saved from extinction. The wines boast aromas of ripe peach, apricot, aromatic herbs and flint, and have good acidity and alcohol content.
The characteristics of wines hailing from the Greek hinterland
The Peloponnese peninsula is the destination to choose for a family-friendly relaxing holiday: Nauplio – the ancient capital – is a charming seaside town, just a stone’s throw from the ruins of Mycenae and Sparta, and close to the prestigious wine-growing region of Nemea. Enjoyed as part of a barbecue or sipped amiably under a beach umbrella, a rosé produced using Argiorgitiko grapes is perfection par excellence: this red grape variety is characterised by moderate acidity, good tannins and fragrant aromas of raspberry, blackberry, plum sauce and black pepper, and also manages to produce structured wines with good ageing potential. The Xinomavro grape variety is instead grown in the region of Naoussa on the border between Albania and Macedonia, producing potent and structured red wines that are said to resemble the Italian Nebbiolo.
