THE GREEK WINE 

According to historical records, vines and wine first appeared in Greece around 4000 BC. Dionysos, a son of Zeus, was the god of vegetation and wine and was worshipped all over Greece with feasts and events held on many occasions. 

Ancient authors have written about wine producing areas, wine celebrations and feasts. There are detailed descriptions of wine producing processes in inscriptions from 2500 BC. The most ancient wine press in the world has been preserved in the area of Arhanes on the island of Crete. Pips of grapes were found in ancient tombs. Homer, in the Iliad, also describes many cities and wine producing regions of Greece and praises their traditions in the production of wine.  

In Ancient Greece wine was consumed for pleasure, but was also used as medicine. It was served in glasses of various shapes and sizes each one with a different name. Containers like the amphoreas were used for serving it at the symposia. The kratiras (krater) was a large container of very fine quality used to store wine. One of the most well preserved and magnificent kratira is exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Thessalniki, a piece from the School of Praxitelis. 

Greece harvests grapes for wine and dried fruit and there are about 250 different grape varieties cultivated in the country. Greek wines are of high quality. They are refreshing and delicious on their own, but also great with food. From the north to the south the country is rich in good wines. Vines are cultivated in almost every region of the mainland and on most islands. In northern Greece the most important wine producing areas are Naousa, Goumenisa, Amynteo, Siatista and Halkidiki. Some well known varieties produced in Macedonia are: Xynomavro, Moschomavro, Athiri, Asyrtiko and Agioritiko, which is produced from the vineyards of Agion Oros.  

The most popular wine, particularly in summer, is retsina. It is made by adding pine resin to local white wines during fermentation. Retsina has a unique pine flavor from the resin and is available either in draft from the barrel or in bottles. Sometimes it is served with soda water. Mavrodaphne is another rich and sweet red wine which is popular in Greece and abroad. Kefallonia produces the Robola wine whereas the Moschato wine of Samos is known all over the world. Sparkling wine is made when the gas produced during fermentation stays in the wine and is not allowed to escape. Rhodes produces the CAIR sparkling wine.

Wine and Greek food 

Shellfish and seafood are best with dry white wines. 

Red meats (beef, lamb, etc.) go well with red wines. 

White meats (pork, chicken) are better served with white wines.

Sparkling wines represent luxury and love and usually accompany celebrations on various occasions. They are served in an ice-bucket with ice and water so that they can be kept chilled.