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The following is a report
issued by the Greek
Wine Federation
NORTHERN GREECE
This year northern Greece has excellent quality. There was a decrease of about 20 % in terms of production and this was reflected in an increase in the price of grapes by 15 % - 20 %.
The long lasting drought combined with the high temperatures, apart from contributing to the decrease in production, also did not allow the producers to protect their vines. However, they tried to implement new techniques to improve the quality of the grapes and maintain their main characteristics.
The best known grape variety of northern Greece is the excellent xynomavro, which is mainly used in the production of appellation wines e.g.
Naoussa, Goumenissa, Amynteon and Rapsani. The xynomavro variety is one of the quality grapes that produces powerful wines characterised by high acidity and aromas of red fruits. They mellow and become well-rounded with ageing and develop aromas of dried fruits and spices.
Naoussa
This year's harvest for the area of Naoussa has excellent quality. The perfect technological and phenolic maturation and the deep red colour of the must is expected to lead to the production of red wines with excellent maturing possibilities.
The production was 20 % - 30 % below average, whilst the prices of the grapes had a slight increase. The harvest, although initially expected to start earlier, took place at the usual time.
Goumenissa
In the area of Goumenissa the harvest took place earlier than usual. In fact it was the first time it had taken place before that of Naoussa. The resulting wines will have a medium alcoholic degree and satisfactory acidity.
Amynteo
This year's harvest was excellent for Amynteo, perhaps the best in the last 10 years. Whilst production was some 30 % down, it will lead to the production of wines rich in colour and aroma. The acidity was kept at satisfactory high levels. The price of the grapes increased by about 20 %.
Epanomi
In this region the harvest took place 8-10 days earlier than expected and had a decrease of 10 % from normal production levels due to the extended drought conditions. The grape quality was very satisfactory and the wines produced are expected to be fruity, full-bodied, and with intense colour for the red wines.
Chalkidiki
CΪtes de Meliton
The harvest in CΪtes de Meliton started on the dates expected producing the usual smaller quantity of must. The grapes were of good quality, especially the red grapes which are expected to give deep colour, rich aroma, and excellent properties for ageing.
The production was 30 % lower than normal. The white grapes were 40 % down compared with previous years, and produced wines having good balance, pleasant aromas and satisfactory acidity.
In the remaining area of Chalkidiki, the high temperatures experienced in the summer speeded up the beginning of the harvest which, in quantity terms, was 15 % less than the previous year. However, the grapes from a healthy point of view were of excellent quality leading to the production of wines with a high alcoholic degree and satisfactory
acidity. Particularly the Sauvignon Blanc has maintained a high level of its usual acidity and has developed strong aromas, whilst Merlot gave a much higher degree of alcohol and is expected to give smooth and tasty wines with the ability not only for immediate consumption, but also suitable for ageing into strong red wines.
Mount Athos
Similar conditions were experienced in Mount Athos. The long dry summer and high temperatures led to a decrease in production and the elimination of diseases, having as a result the production of high quality wines.
Drama
In the district of Drama the harvest progressed normally. The vines, under continuous scientific attention, required only the minimum of assistance, and the grapes were harvested at the best moment, offering excellent maturation.
Maronia
The border area of Maronia did not experience extreme temperatures compared to the rest of Greece and, in this way the maturation was normally developed without any special problems.The white varieties, mostly chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, developed especially aromatic wines, whilst the reds - mostly syrah - are expected to give wines rich in alcohol and phenolic properties. The healthy conditions of these varieties was excellent.
EPIRUS
Zitsa
The harvest in this wine growing region started 15 days earlier than usual and the quantities were maintained at regular level.
The prices of the grapes were increased due to the good quality. The grapes presented, high alcoholic degree, whilst the acidity was slightly decreased, and the wines expected to be produced will be of a special quality. Similar conditions took place in the area of Ioannina where the variety cabernet sauvignon is cultivated.
CENTRAL GREECE
Rapsani
In the area of Rapsani, the dry and high temperature conditions of summer led to the production of excellent matured grapes, able to give wines rich in aromas and phenolic ingredients, ideal for long ageing.
Lochrida
The drought and the high temperatures resulted in a reduction in the production of both white and red wines. However, these summer phenomena, although they decreased the production, also improved the quality, the acidity and the alcoholic degree, and as a result the wines will have the possibilities to develop to the full the aromatic characteristics of the grapes.
Beotia
Similar conditions occurred in the vineyards of Beotia. Specifically, the prices of the grapes increased by 25 % versus 1999. Concerning the production of the white grapes there was a decline of 20 % - 30 % from previous levels, but they maintained their alcoholic degree at a satisfactory level.
The red grapes gave very satisfactory results and they can be expected to produce wines having great ageing possibilities.
Attica
Especially for Attica the climatic conditions were very problematic. The basic element was the drought. In fact, the region of Attica received only half its normal annual rainfall. A similar phenomenon had occurred 25 years earlier. The long lasting drought combined with the high temperatures had the result of reducing the production by at least 60 %. It is to be hoped, that there will not be considerable consequences for the future if the rainfall for the next season is at least normal.
A natural consequence was the decrease in production, and the increase in prices up to a level of 45 % compared with the previous year. Concerning the quality of the wine, there was a noticeable drop in the level of acidity and It was fortunate that the harvest started much earlier than usual as it enabled the producers to take the necessary steps in facing this particular problem..
THE PELOPONNESE
Nemea
In the viticultural zone of Nemea, the famous agiorgitiko grape is cultivated, a variety with the ability to produce many different styles of wine according to the altitude, the method of cultivation, and the method of vinification. In this way both fresh fruity wines and wines having velvety texture, deep colour, full body, and with excellent properties of ageing can be produced.
Everything was indicating that the production was going to be of big volume.
The amount of fruit on the vines was excellent. The producers thought that after the problems of the previous year, during which quantities were reduced by 40 % compared with the harvest of 1998, this year's vintage was going to more than compensate for the previous low harvests., whilst at the same time there would be a reduction in the price of grapes to the level of 1998.
It has to be remembered that last year's prices for grapes were increased by 40 % compared with 1998, and this has had serious consequences both in the domestic and export markets.
All these prospects were dashed by the late spring frost which reduced the production of this year's harvest to less than 45 % of that of the previous year. Later on, in some areas, there was the phenomenon of high temperatures.
However, all these phenomena had a positive contribution inasmuch as the wines had intense aromas and there was a noticeable increase in colour intensity, with a rise in the level of alcohol.
So it is obvious that the Nemea region will have wine of excellent quality, but that this year's limited production will lead to a further increase in prices. As a result the prices for grapes will have shown an increase of 50 % in the last two year period (1998 - 2000).
Mantinia
In the area of Mantinia the moschofilero variety is cultivated which is considered to be the treasure of the Greek vineyards. The moschofilero is a medium aromatic variety able to keep sufficient high levels of acidity and has adapted extremely well to the ecosystem of Mantinia. It leads to the production of fine white wines.Although this year did not start with good prospects due to a frost in the first week of May, the consequent reduction in production has resulted in a better level of maturation of the grapes and in addition has created a concentration of the aromatic and taste properties of the wines.
The level of production was reduced by 30 % - 50 % compared with previous year, and prices of grapes increased by 100 %. (double those of the previous year).
Patras
The harvest of 2000 gave an excellent result for Achaia. It is the best in the last 10 years.
The viticultural zone of Patras is dominated by the rhoditis variety which produces dry white wines of appellation status as well as the white muscat for the production of sweet A.O.C. wines - muscat of Patras and Muscat of Rion. Rhoditis is cultivated on the slopes of the mountains of Achaia at an altitude of over 350 metres and is of high quality giving wines with high acidity, characteristic varietal aroma, and full body. This year was very difficult because of the climatic conditions existing during the summer. The quantities were reduced by 10 % but gave excellent quality.
The varieties of chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, which are also cultivated on the mountains of Corinthia, were harvested early. The prices were maintained at high levels whilst the quality is very satisfactory.
On the lowland areas where rhoditis is also cultivated the grapes gave good maturation and although there was a decrease in quantity of 20 % compared with the previous year, the quality was satisfactory. The price for the grapes rose by some 40 %.
The sweet muscat wines that are marketed with A.O.C. status - Muscat of Patras and Muscat of Rion - are characterised by their smooth taste and their distinctive varietal bouquet.
In the area of Achaia is produced an outstanding vin de liqueur, possessing A.O.C. status : the Mavrodpahne of Patras. This wine is characterised by its rich taste, and aroma of vanilla, caramel and dried fruits.
This year's harvest for the muscat grapes was reduced by 10 %, whilst the harvest of mavrodaphne grapes was maintained at the same level as last year. Prices for the grapes remained stable.
THE AEGEAN ISLANDS
Santorini
In Santorini the main cultivation is of the white powerful variety, assyrtico, which has perfectly adapted to the volcanic soils of the island. The dry Santorini appellation is characterised by a rich body, with high acidity and mineral aromas.
This year, early in the summer, it was expected that the production of the grapes would be increased compared with the levels of 1999. However, later on the useful affects of the cool and moist dew during the nocturnal hours was much reduced by the meltemia, and this resulted in the production remaining at a similar level to that of 1999.
As far as the quality of the harvest of 2000 is concerned, although there was a delay in maturation it was kept within the known satisfactory levels, whilst the prices for the grapes remained at the same levels. It is expected that wines with high quality organoleptic characteristics will be produced.
Samos
The harvest in Samos, where the white aromatic variety of muscat is cultivated exclusively, began a little earlier compared with the previous year. The high temperatures in combination with the prolonged drought resulted in a reduction of the production by 25 %.
Concerning the health of the grapes it was a perfect production, the acidity was medium, the sugars were slightly reduced.
Concerning prices the grapes were at a similar level to those of last year.
Limnos
In the island of Limnos the harvest was one week earlier due to the climatic conditions during the summer which affected a reduction in the production of 20 % - 25 % compared with the previous year. The reduction in quantity resulted in a price increase for the grapes of around 10 %. The health of the grapes was excellent, the acidity was at usual levels, and the sugars were higher compared with the previous year.
Paros
The harvest in Paros took place 10 days later than usual and the production was 30 % below the previous year's level. Prices for grapes showed an increase of 10 %. The health of the grapes was excellent, and the alcoholic degree and acidity were slightly reduced. Crete In Crete the harvest was 12 days earlier than usual for the white grapes and one week earlier for the red grapes. The production of 2000 was one of the very best concerning quality. The grapes were in excellent condition, had rich aromatic properties, and more balanced acidity levels, when compared with the previous year. The amount of sugar was maintained at a very satisfactory level.
Quantity produced showed an increase of 20 %. The prices of the grapes were as follows :
for the red grapes they were at the same level as in the previous year for the white vilana variety the prices were slightly reduced.
THE IONIAN ISLANDS
Cephalonia
The harvest in Cephalonia began normally and continued smoothly. The excellent white variety of robola that is cultivated in the upland areas was not affected by the high temperatures and gave excellent results.
In general terms the harvest can be characterised as an excellent year giving grapes with raised alcoholic degree and slightly decreased acidity.
The prices for the grapes remained at the same level as the previous year.
(the report is a reprint
of the page http://www.wine.org.gr/harvest.htm) |
