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25 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Describe the wine laws of Greece (3) |
- Mirrors France's AOC and PGI systems. - Greece has two PGI systems - Laws were set up in the 70's, and the ratings reflect which vineyards were showing promise then |
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What are the PDO's (2) |
- OPE (Appellation d'Origine Controlée) (Oenoi Onomasias Proelefseos Elenhomeni) - OPAP (Appelation d'Origine de Qualité Supérieure) (Oenoi Onomasias Proelefseos Anoteras Poiotitas) |
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OPE (2) |
- Made of 8 wine regions - Made in the 70's when sweet wines were popular
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OPAP (4) |
- Made up of 25 OPAP's - Principally used for dry wines of colours - Can be used for sweet and sparkling wines as well - Awarded in the 70's when these regions were showing promise |
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What are the PGI's (2) |
- Oenoi Onomasias Kata Paradosi/Appellation Traditionnelle (OKP) - Topikos Oinos/VIns de Pays (TO) |
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TO (4) |
- Less strict that OPAP and OPE - Most non-greek varieties fall int this category - Cover both geographically large and small areas - Very commercially significant |
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OKP |
- Can be made anywhere in Greece - Made to accommodate the ancient wine, Retsina - Most is made in Attica - Separate category is necessary since Retsina is not exclusively made from grapes. |
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Climate (7) |
- Hot mediterranean climate - Summer temperatures can go well over 30ºC - The seas provide moderation - Extreme winds provide moderation as well as risk and a unique style - Very low rainfall, especially in the east where the mountains block the rain fall. - Early Autumn rains can cause problems for the harvest
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Geography (4) |
- Soils are stony and very low in nutrients - Lots of the terrain is mountainous - Altitude is a moderating effect - Mountains block much of the moisture for the east side of Greece |
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Viticulture (6) |
- Very small holdings - Mountainous terrain requires lots of labour - Most vines are spur pruned and head trained to mitigate the heat - Forward thinking growers are using VSP - Can be planted in hollows to prevent wind and collect water - Modern methods have drastically improved Greek wines |
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What is a growing method that is unique to Santorini ? |
Basket training. Vines are trained into 'baskets' in order to mitigate the extreme winds. |
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Greek Varieties |
- Over 200 varieties native to Greece - Well adapted to the hot arid conditions - Produce stunningly good vines - There are some international varieties planted in Greece, but any of the OPAP wines must be Greek grapes. |
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Naoussa OPAP (5) |
- Grown in the northern region of Macedonia - Grown 400m+, noticeably cooler climate - Made exclusively from Xinomavro - Makes Nebbiolo-like wines that are capable of aging - Some producers are starting to make a deeply coloured, less tannic style that may be aged in new oak
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Xinomavro (5) |
- Compared with Nebbiolo - High structure; high in both tannin and acid - Tends to lack a fresh fruit character - Develops complex spicy and earthy aromas with age - Starts with a medium colour but quickly fades into a tawny |
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Nemea OPAP |
- North Peloponnese region - Red wines made exclusively from Agiorgitiko - The vinyards are spread over a range of altitudes ranging from 230-900m above sea level. - The fruit from the middle vineyards are the best - Wines have a more international style |
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Agiorgitiko (6) |
Best examples - Deep ruby colour - High well rounded tannins - Med to Low acidity - Sweet spice and red fruit - Works well with new oak - Very capable of aging |
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Describe the range of Agiorgitiko produced at different altitudes (3) |
- Low altitudes: Fruit can be jammy. Tends to suit wines for early consumption - High altitudes: Has higher acidity and less fine tannins. Can be used to add freshness to a red blend, but best suited for rosé production - Med: Altitudes: Just right. Deep ruby colour. Low-med acid, high smooth tannins. |
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Santorini OPAP (5) |
- Windswept volcanic island - OPAP covers red and white wines made in a dry and sweet style - Reputation is founded on the white wines made from Assyrtiko - Assyrtiko wines can be sweet and dry - Climate and terrain plays a massive role on the production and taste of these wines |
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How do the winds effect Santorini wines (3) |
- Winds can be so intense that photosynthesis can stop - Winds help build acid - Help dry the grapes on the vine, concentrating the sugars and the acids, making Vincanto |
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Assyrtiko (6) |
- Makes dry and sweet wines in Santorini - Dry wines are -perfumed - high acid - high alcohol - highly concentrated
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Vinsanto (6) |
- Sweet wine made from Assyrtiko - Dried on the vine - Harvested grapes are sun-dried for 14 days - Aged in old oak for at least two years - Luscious sweetness is balanced by high acidity - Older wines show an oxidative character of caramel and nuts |
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Retsina OKP (6) |
- Has it's own PGI - Made from Savatino and Roditus grapes - Ancient wine style - Pine resin is added when the wine is young and removed after the first racking. - Wine acquires distinctive character - Does not conform to the standard defintion of wine |
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How are Greek wines priced (3) |
Noussa (Xinomavro): Medium priced Nemea (Agiorgitiko): Medium priced Santorini (Assyrtiko) : Medium priced |
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Mantinia OPAP (5) |
-Made in a relatively cooler climate, 600m high plateau - Wines must be made from 85%+ Moschofilero - The remaining blend must be made from Greek varieties - Can produce whites and rosés, mostly whites. - Aromatic light wines
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Moschofilero (6) |
- Pink skinned variety - light bodied - High acidity - Medium alcohol - Aromatic character that is similar to Gewurztraminer or Muscat - Skin contact can amplify character and make the wine a rosé |