Wine
has been an important part of Greek culture for over 4000 years
as the numerous archeological discoveries throughout Greece indicate.
The ancient Greeks knew well the nutritional value of wine as it
became an inseparable part of their daily regimen. They loved to
organize intellectual gatherings called "symposia" where
they would eat and talk about philosophical subjects while drinking
wine. Our ancestors also realized the important influence of the
local ecosystem on the characteristics of wine. They traded their
wines throughout the ancient world inside sealed amphorae and even
created their own Appellations of Origin.
In recent years, the Greek wine industry has undergone
tremendous improvements with serious investments in modern wine
making technology. The new generation of native winemakers is being
trained in the best wine schools around the world and their efforts
are paying off as Greek wines continue to receive the highest awards
in international competitions as well as the recognition they deserve
throughout the world.
What makes Greek wine so unique are the more than
300 indigenous grape varieties grown there, some of which have been
cultivated since ancient times. Many of the world’s best wine
critics agree that the distinct flavors that come from these native
grape varieties are a strong marketing advantage for the Greek wine
industry. Many well-known international grape varieties are also
used in Greek wine making. This extensive variety of grapes together
with the moderate Greek climate, plentiful sunshine, low average
rainfall and soils of moderate fertility combine to provide an excellent
environment for the production of high quality wines.
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