Greek wine has a long and storied history, with the first recorded evidence of grape cultivation and winemaking in Greece dating back to the Neolithic period (7000-3000 BC). It has played an important role in Greek culture and society, and is an integral part of the country's culinary tradition. Greek wine is known for its diversity, with many different grape varieties and wine styles being produced in different regions of the country.

Some of the most famous Greek wines include Retsina, made from the resin of the Aleppo pine tree, and wines from the island of Santorini, known for their distinctive mineral character.

In recent years, Greek wine has gained international recognition and popularity, with many Greek winemakers using traditional techniques combined with modern technology to produce high-quality wines that showcase the unique terroir of Greece.

 

On the white wine side, the best Greek white wine is created on the local grape Assyrtiko.What is the style of Assyrtiko?

Assyrtiko is a white grape variety that is grown primarily on the island of Santorini in Greece. It is known for producing wines that are dry, crisp, and high in acidity, with flavors and aromas of lemon, lime, green apple, and mineral. Assyrtiko wines are typically medium-bodied and have a distinctive, vibrant character that is unique to the terroir of Santorini. The grape is also grown on other Greek islands, as well as on the mainland, and is often blended with other grape varieties to create wines with more complexity and depth. Some examples of Assyrtiko wines include Santorini Assyrtiko, made from 100% Assyrtiko grapes, and Athiri-Assyrtiko blends, which are made from a combination of Assyrtiko and Athiri grapes.

Looking at the red wines, the quality has grown considerably for wines that can go up to international level. Especially Agiorghitiko can provide great wines with soft fruit and good filling.

Local grapes, such as Agiorghitiko, Mandilaria, Moschophilero, Liatiko, and Mavrodaphne, but today you see wines in international style quite frequently on grapes such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Progress has been made extremely rapidly. In the early 1990s it was the large cooperatives and companies that led the way in the development towards better quality, but today they have been overtaken inside by a young generation of educated oenologists who have created really large and exciting wines, especially inspired by Bordeaux. The pressure of young oenologists has forced the large companies to increase the quality further, and today Greek wines are fully on par with wines from other wine nations.

Wine-wise, the most important areas of today's Greece are Peloponnese, Pátras, Nemea, Crete and Samos.