What kind of wine is retsina?
Well, no. Retsina is a wine process, really, not a wine—pine resin is added to a base of white wine (typically Roditis or Savatiano), thus creating a pine resin flavor and aromatic. This supposedly mimics ancient traditions, when ancient Greeks sealed wines with resin closures.
Is retsina a good wine?
Retsina is the best known traditional Greek wine. Its reputation, not always positive, had long overshadowed that of other distinguished Greek wines and appellations.
Is retsina sweet or dry?
The specific taste of retsina cannot be well explained to someone who has never tried it but in general it is mild, neither sweet nor bitter. Also, the taste and flavor vary from brand to brand and are subject to personal preferences.
What is retsina in Greece?
Retsina (Greek: Ρετσίνα) is a Greek white (or rosé) resinated wine, which has been made for at least 2,000 years. Its unique flavor is said to have originated from the practice of sealing wine vessels, particularly amphorae, with Aleppo pine resin in ancient times.
Do Greeks like retsina?
The Greeks have favored retsina since the earliest days of ancient winemaking, when they used pine resin to line and seal terracotta amphoras. Even after wooden barrels replaced amphoras as the preferred storage vessels, the Greeks retained their taste for retsina.
What does retsina pair with?
The enticing herbal aromas in retsina make it a perfect partner at the table for dishes like roasted chicken with rosemary or simple grilled fish with lemon and mint. Lamb recommends serving retsina with a platter of rice and vegetable-stuffed dolmades.
What is retsina similar to?
The flavor of retsina, a wine infused with the resin of Aleppo pine trees, has often been likened to turpentine, even by people who like the stuff. Most modern retsinas are made with poor, thin wine.
Is retsina served cold?
Retsina has an alcohol content of 12 to 12.5 percent and is best served chilled at 10C.
What can you do with retsina?
“Modern retsinas are very well vinified wines, and the resin is added to supply the wine with the aromas of the pine forest, not to cover bad wines,” says Owner/Winemaker Vassilis Papagiannakos. “Chill it well and sip it with meze like dolmades, spanakopita, tzatziki and calamari,” he says.
What is the most popular wine in Greece?
Assyrtiko is one of the most popular and recognized wine varieties in Greece and can be found all across the country since its production is not limited to one specific region, but rather covers the majority of the land.
What is the best wine to drink in Greece?
Top 5 Greek Wines
- LIMNIONA FROM THESSALY.
- SANTORINI ASSYRTIKO.
- NAOUSSA XINOMAVRO. Greece’s world-class grape.
- NEMEA AGIORGITIKO. An indigenous Greek version of Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon.
- PELOPONNESE MOSCHOFILERO. If you like good-quality Pinot Grigio, this local Greek grape’s for you.
What wine do Greeks drink?
Red, white, orange and rosé wines are made across Greece, in both still and sparkling format and at various levels of dryness or sweetness. Greece is also known for retsina, a traditional wine flavored with pine resin.
What is a good wine in Greece?
Assyrtiko is one of the most popular and recognized wine varieties in Greece and can be found all across the country since its production is not limited to one specific region, but rather covers the majority of the land. Despite its many places of production, however, its place of origin is the island of Santorini.
What is the traditional wine of Greece?
Greece is also known for retsina, a traditional wine flavored with pine resin.
What wine is Santorini known for?
‘) Santorini is also renowned for its excellent Vinsanto wines—made from late-harvest, sun-dried white grapes and aged for at least two years in oak. These can include rich flavors of rum, sultanas, plums and menthol.
What do Greeks drink after dinner?
Retsina. While frappe and beer are more like daily drinks, retsina is the companion for your dinner. This is the world-famous Greek resinated wine served cold in small glass bottles.
What is best Greek wine?
What is the most popular drink in Greece?
The most popular liquor in Greece is “Ouzo.” Ouzo is a dry type of aperitif that is made of anise flavor. Ouzo is a type of brandy and has a wonderful, strong taste and a very nice flavor that is a favorite amongst all liquor lovers. Ouzo is made from aniseed, and it is the pride of Greece.
What wine is best in Greece?
What is Greek white wine called?
The best-known Greek white wines are undoubtedly Retsina and Assyrtiko. Retsina is famous for historical reasons, and has an unarguably chequered reputation, long associated with inferior wine often made from a blend of grapes and masked by resin flavours.
What do Greeks drink when they say Opa?
Ouzo
The Greek word “opa” doesn’t have one true meaning but also means everything. Rather, it’s an emotional expression. It’s exclaimed during weddings or celebrations whilst smashing plates into oblivion — yes, the scenes depicting Greek culture in movies aren’t embellishing that.
What is the most popular liquor in Greece?
What do Greeks drink in the morning?
Greeks are heavy coffee drinkers and the coffee economy is thriving, even in hard times. You usually notice it by the minute you step foot on the country, as you see many locals holding a cup of coffee in their hand as part of their Greek breakfast.
What do Greeks say when someone dies?
Greek Funeral Etiquette
Guests at the funeral service often greet the families of the deceased and provide their condolences by saying the phrase “memory eternal” or “may their memory be eternal” or “may you have an abundant life”.
What alcohol is most popular in Greece?