Discover Greek Sparkling Wine

You've no doubt heard of Champagne, spumante, and of course, California sparkling wines, but are you familiar with the delicate, refreshing sparklers from Greece? Yes, Greece. One of that Mediterranean country's best-kept secrets is its delicate, sparkling wines, crafted from a variety of uniquely Grecian grapes, such as Athiri and Moschofilero.

History

It is widely believed that the cultivation of wine grapes, and winemaking as we know it today, can trace its root back to ancient Greece. In fact, it was the Greek seafaring merchants who taught the Franks (later the French) in Marseilles how to make wine as well as the Etruscans (later the Italians). Greek winemaking was also a significant part of the cultural package that ancient Rome assumed when they overran ancient Greece.

Greek Wine Today

In the 20th century, however, Greek wines were little known outside of their own country. The ones that were widely exported tended to be sweet ceremonial wines or bitter Retsina wines, not generally appealing without an acquired taste. Today, all of that is changing. Greek wines of all sorts are enjoying a renaissance and finding their way across to North America. Particularly enjoyable are the light, refreshing sparkling wines.

Greek Sparklers

Unlike Champagne, which is traditionally crafted from mostly Chardonnay grapes, the sparkling wines of Greece are crafted from grapes that grow well only in Greece -- the Athiri and the Moschofilero grapes.

The Athiri grape has historically been used in combination with other grape varietals to augment the fruit flavors of other, more acidic grapes. It's a pale, medium-sized grape that adds a light, floral bouquet to wine. On the island of Rhodes, the unique island climate and gentle breezes combine to create Athiri grapes with a complex, rich texture, capable of standing on their own. It is these grapes that create the wonderful sparkling wines of Rhodes.