What makes a wine Greek?

by Evmorfia Kostaki DipWSET

Typicity or typicality is a widely discussed topic in the wine world. As wine enthusiasts, we aim to understand what makes a wine distinctive. Is it the acidity or structure, or does it always have a unique aroma? In my quest to grasp the intricate world of Greek wine, I set out to discover what defines a wine as Greek.

The first thing that comes to mind when you think about Greece is the summer holidays. Little is known of the “other” Greece. Impressive mountain ranges cover most of the Greek mainland, offering exciting and still largely unexplored terrains. The possibilities are endless, from Mantinia to Amyndeo, Aigialeia, Zitsa, and beyond. Is there a connection that unites it all, or is Greek wine just one big random mix?

Taking a step back, we can examine the history of Greek wine, which has been coloured (or stained?) with Retsina. There is no denying that when most wine lovers hear the words “Greek” and “wine” together, they immediately think of Retsina. It is one of the most distinctive wine styles in the world and has been produced for millennia. So perhaps Retsina is the very essence of Greek wine?