New Wines Of Greece

Greece is a country of rare beauty characterized by an intensely mountainous landscape -a fact which hampers viticulture despite the favorable climate. Since antiquity, however, Greeks would find the suitable locations to plant their vines just like they would built their temples and the country boasts one of the most important and longest  viticultural traditions in Europe. The discovery of seals on amphorae as well as ancient texts prove that there were “cru” (classified vineyards) centuries before the birth of Christ!

But if a basic part of  viticultural tradition is the selection of terroirs, cultivation practice remains the most important one. Suffice it to see the “kouloura,” or basket-shaped vine protecting the grapes from the hot sun and the strong winds and retaining the precious little moisture, the cup-like pruning of Savvatiano (which survives thus better in the dry climate of Attiki) or the supported Agiorgitiko (which detests rain and humidity) and one understands that the long viticultural experience is the foundation for the unique character of new Greek wines.