Top 100 wines of Greece - Page 5

Discovering the wine region of Greece

Greece, a mountainous Turkey/mediterranean">Mediterranean country in Southeastern Europe, is often considered the cradle of Western civilization. Archaeological evidence suggests that wine has been made in Parts of Greece for over 4000 years. References in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey confirm that viticulture was widespread here in the 8th century BC. The importance of wine is also evident in Greek mythology.

Dionysus (the Greek god of wine) appears in the legends of all regions of Greece, from the plains of Attica to the Aegean island of Chios. From the 4th century onwards, the tumultuous history of Greece as part of the Byzantine Empire meant that viticulture did not flourish as it did in neighbouring Italy. As a result, Greece's importance in the modern wine world is far less than one might expect, given its early success. In the late 20th century, however, Greek viticulture showed signs of revitalization, supported by modern winemaking techniques and a generation of motivated, quality-oriented producers.

The modern face of Greek wine combines the traditional with the modern. Native Greek Grape varieties such as Assyrtico, Agiorgitiko and Xynomavro stand alongside famous international (French) varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The range of 21st century Greek wines includes fresh, citrusy whites, Sparkling rosés and deliciously Sweet reds. Geographically speaking, Greece consists of its mainland and numerous islands.