Wine
production in Greece dates back thousands of years. Excavations at prehistoric
settlements have brought to light charred remains of Vitis Vinifera vines that
provide the earliest indication of wine making in the Mediterranean, and
remains of wine presses found in Crete suggest that wine was consumed on this
island in the second millennium BC.


Modern
Greek wine, however, started seriously to enter the international wine scene
only in the last few decades of the 20th century, although it was commercially
established long before. Most wine professionals around the world now recognize
Greece as a source of diverse high-quality wines with distinctive and unique
character, and exports have seen a remarkable increase in both volume and value
with more and more wine consumers appreciating the virtues of the Greek wine.
Figures released in 2016 indicate that wine exports from Greece to the United
States and Canada in the last five years have increased by 39% and 55%,
respectively. Greek wine is enjoying growing demand despite increasing
worldwide competition. Greek wine is shipped to more than 35 countries around
the globe.


The first
part of Konstantinos Lazarakis's new book provides an overview of all Greek
wine regions and appellations (new and old), their topographic, geographic and
climatic conditions and the various grape varieties. The wines of Greece
also discusses renowned grape varieties such as Assyrtiko and Xinomavro as well
as traditional wines such as Retsina which is currently undergoing a revival.
Part two of the book takes the regions in turn and the book concludes with
several appendices covering old and new wine classification, labelling terms
and how to read a wine label, distribution of native and international grape
varieties, total acreage under vine by region and a list of recommended
producers. There are also maps of wine producing regions.


Greece has a rich
tradition of wine-making and there is no better guide to its quality and
variety than Konstantinos Lazarakis. The wines of Greece is a must-have for all lovers of Greek
wine.