The Wines of Sunny Greece

It’s easy to miss Greece as a wine gem because not that much Greek wine is exported.  Greeks love their wine just as Italians do; and   90% of production is consumed in Greece.  Most know Greece has a long, rich winemaking history, yet Greek wines are often passed by simply because we don’t know much about them—and fear we can’t pronounce the grape names to ask about them.  So being risk averse to what the bottle may hold—we move onto our comfort zone and take home another Italian red or French white.

BEFORE you err and pass by this event though, you may want to review some key points about Greek winemaking.  First, the wines of Greece are truly European. This is not just an issue of provenance but a matter relating to style and quality. They are a part of the premier European wine league and in terms of quality they belong to the same class as Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German and Austrian wines.

Greece should be approached in the same way as Italy: a large country packed with indigenous varieties and terroirs not found anywhere else. The Greeks and Italians have influenced each other when it comes to wine more than many might think, trading varieties (such as Aglianico) and techniques for centuries.

Most importantly, Greece is a treasure trove of genuine, authentic wine. It’s a part of the country’s history and is imbedded in the soul of every Greek man, woman and child. Just like Italy.

Greek wines are expressive of their distinctive and historic terroirs, bearing all the hallmark characteristics of their Old-World provenance. Hence, the wines are a must-try for all people wishing to explore and taste the wines of the essential vineyards, the grand terroirs of the world.

Historic vineyards with unbroken track records of several millennia abound.  Many of these distinctive ecosystems developed through natural selection and are located in areas protected from most vine pests and vine diseases. Therefore, the vast majority of Greek vineyards are suitable for organic cultivation or other alternative methods of viticulture and chemical spraying has been largely eliminated.

Greece is blessed with an amazing array of distinctive and unique terroirs. Greek wine is very distinct and is able to transfer you to the place of its production. The alternation of mountains and countless miles of coast create a varied combination of altitudes, different mesoclimates, orientations, inclinations, aspects and soils. Within a single region there might be several different available terroirs.

Greek wines are some of the best value-for-money buys in the world market today. Along with great quality and affordability, these wines are an inspirational, truly different proposal, based on unique attributes.  They are a superb source of enjoyment for people who are offended by blandness and who understand the need for diversity. Greek wine has been made to meet that need since long, long ago.

So, check it out—join us on Friday, September 29th at 7 p.m. at the Hilton Harrisburg to taste ten wines representative of the variety available from these unique Greek wine regions.  Mitigating our fear of tasting new wines and being unable to say the grape names will be our special guest speaker, Ioannis G. Tsapos (Yanni).  Yanni, who is a Greek native, will take us through a 10-wine sampling chosen by John Brinjac of Keystone Importers, including some unique wines not on the shelves but available by SLO.  We’re excited to share them with you:

• Zoinos Brut 100% Debina
• Tetramythos Roditis Orange Natur
• Tetramythos Retsina Roditis
• Avantis Estate Malagousia
• Kotrosos Agiorgitiko
• Gavalas Santorini Assyrtiko
• Bosinakis Moschofilero Mantinia
• Tetramythos Phelloe Natur 50% Mavrodaphne, 25% Kalavratino and 25% Agiorgitiko
• Foundi Naoussia Xinomavro
• Gavalas Vinsanto (Assyrtiko)

Trust us—the wines are as beautiful as the Greek countryside.   There will be Greek food to pair with the wines for a true cultural learning experience.  Hilton Chef’s small plates will include Grilled Pita, Grilled Feta, Hummus, Spanakopita, Chicken Souvlaki, Lamb Lollipops w/Chimichurri or Mint Yogurt.

 Please inform us of any food allergies well in advance in the notes section of your reservations or email the treasurer with concerns.

Reservation deadline is Tuesday, September 26th.

      Member —$95

      Patron —$90

      Nonmember —$115

You may MAKE RESERVATIONS via the SHOPPE PAGE of this website.

Please note any food allergies EARLY in the notes section of your reservations or email the treasurers with concerns.