New Wines of Greece
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About New Wines of Greece
New Wines of Greece is the umbrella organization representing all of the wineries of Greece in their international efforts to introduce, educate and promote the modern renaissance in Greek winemaking. Greece contains well over 300 indigenous grape varieties, which account for more than 80% of their wine production.
Wine Regions
Greece has a winemaking history going back over 4,000 years with one of the most diverse growing environments in the world. Greece, being the 3rd most mountainous country in Europe and surrounded by water, offers optimal terrain for grape cultivation as these moderating influences work to counteract the naturally warm climate producing what many actually consider to be more towards “cool-climate” wines with great balance, acidity and complexity.
Most wineries are small and family-owned, with a multi-generational understanding of Greece’s wide-ranging terroir. Vineyards abound with globally unique practices like the pruning system of the kouloura (basket vines) of Santorini or the aplotaria system found in Paros, as well as traditional trellising systems.
Most regions throughout Greece, including the north and central areas as well as Attica, the Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands, Crete and the Aegean Islands display a relatively trouble-free ecosystem because of the moderating influence of the surrounding sea, prevailing strong winds and generally low humidity. This low disease pressure and small-scale grape cultivation allow for minimal vineyard intervention, with organic viticultural practices common throughout the country.
Thirty-three regions have PDO status. The most prominent are Santorini (Assyrtiko), Nemea (Agiorgitiko), Mantinia (Moschofilero), Naoussa and Amyndeo (both Xinomavro). There are also 114 Protected Geographical Indications (PGI’s), the new classification for all regional wines.
Top Native Grape Varieties
Assyrtiko: originates from Santorini, where it has its most unique expression of character, due to the influence of the island’s volcanic soil and microclimate. Naturally resistant to most diseases because of the volcanic soil it is grown in and surrounding climatic conditions, Assyrtiko maintains both high sugar levels and acidity during the growing season, producing bone-dry, age-worthy, full-bodied white wines with citrus aromas and intense mineral character. It is also the main grape in original Vinsanto, blended with Athiri and Aidani.
Malagousia: produces outstanding dry whites with a highly expressive nose of stone fruits such as peaches and apples with hints basil and flowers. On the palate, it is round, full and crisp, with moderately high levels of alcohol.
Moschofilero is an aromatic variety from the high plateau of Mantinia in the central eastern Peloponnese. Predominantly used for still dry whites, it also produces excellent sparkling wines because of its high acidity, with both styles having PDO status. Moschofilero has an intense floral profile with hints of citrus that is reflected on the palate with crisp, fresh mouth feel.
Agiorgitiko, from the captivating region of Nemea, produces deep red wines with remarkable aromatic complexity. Agiorgitiko’s softer tannins, in combination with its balanced acidity, lead to the production of rich, complex, age-worthy reds for the cellar, delicious aromatic dry roses, and light, easy drinking reds with fresh fruit aromas.
Xinomavro, meaning “acid-black,” is one of the two noble red grapes of Greece. It is the main grape produced in the PDO regions of Naoussa, Amyndeo, Rapsani and Goumenissa. It is known for its superb aging potential and rich tannic character. Its complex aromas include dark red fruit with hints of olives, spices and dried tomatoes as it ages. This food-friendly red varies between earthy and spicy to more fruit forward, depending on the winemaking style and microclimate, but all have an elegance combined with firm tannins and good structure.
Best Recent Vintages
Some of the more notable vintages in recent years considering all of the varied regions of Greece were 1998, 2000, 2007, 2012 and especially the current 2013 vintage, considered the best In several decades.