Greece

Greece can trace its wine making roots back an incredible 6500 years and was responsible for spreading the vine across much of the mediterranean. The country mainly concentrates on the many superb native varieties although there are many classic French grapes to be found such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. Since entering the EU Greece has managed to modernise its wine industry by combining the traditions of the past with modern winemaking techniques. The wine laws of Greece were closely modelled by France's AOC system and it is called Oenoi Onomasias Proelefseos Elenhomeni (OPE) and recognises indigenous regions and grape varieties in a similar fashion. For many years a small number of large merchants have dominated the industry although in recent times there is an ever-increasing community of bespoke wineries with foreign-trained winemakers producing fantastic quality wines. There are over 200 grape varieties native to Greece, and it is very rare to see them planted elsewhere. Key varieties include Xinomavro, Agiorgitiko, Assytriko and Moschofilero. It is also common to plant western European varieties.