Greece’s most famous and possibly most authentic wine is the traditional Retsina, with Attiki as the center of its production. Only specific regions can carry a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) on the labels. (or ΠΓΕ in Greek). Retsina can also be produced throughout Greece and according to Greek and European legislation is labelled as a Traditional Designation (one of the two in Greece) if not produced within one of the designated PGI zones.
Among these regions, Attiki stands out by producing Retsinas that, under certain prerequisites, are classified in the category of Protected Geographical Indication, PGI Retsina of Attiki (ΠΓΕ Ρετσίνα Αττικής). It was only quite recently that Attiki has become the focus of Retsina production, being nowadays the most important producer of this renown traditional style of wine.
A revival of the style
Even with this controversial image, (until recently), Retsina is still undoubtedly a part of the cultural heritage of Greece. Coming to Greece and Attiki and not tasting a sample of PGI Retsina of Attiki (ΠΓΕ Ρετσίνα Αττικής) is the wine equivalent of landing in the city of Athens and not making the climb up to the Parthenon.
If there is one thing we all look for when travelling, it’s the chance to experience first-hand how the local people really live and and sample an authentic taste of their heritage. There is no better way to understand Greeks and how they perceive life than tasting a glass of PGI Retsina of Attiki (ΠΓΕ Ρετσίνα Αττικής).
Fortunately, in recent years, the quality revival of Retsina has been impressive. All it took, was for its best practitioners to believe that Retsina could be more than the inferior wine it was considered to be, and more importantly, for the world to change its perception of this unique style of wine.
The game-changers
There is an ever-growing, generation of producers from Attiki, who follow a totally new approach to the wine’s potential. Having tapped into the tradition of their region, they produce wines under the protected Geographical Indication PGI Retsina of Attiki (ΠΓΕ Ρετσίνα Αττικής) that are elegant and balanced between the essential botanical aromas of the resin and the varietal fruit. The new-age Retsinas (as some people prefer to call them) consist of everything someone would expect from a great dry white, with an added dimension of aromatic complexity, thanks to the masterful handling of the resin.
The finest examples are a harmonious marriage of the aromas and flavors of pine, sage, rosemary, mastic gum and ginger that compliment and bring out the fruit character of the wine. Each sip reveals a lovely interplay of intensity, freshness and complexity, which makes Retsina an incredibly food-friendly wine, especially for the variety of different flavors that defines a Greek festive -family-style- table.
MAKING THE LEAP – WHAT HAS CHANGED
- Exceptional grape-growing techniques leading to excellent raw material
- Masterful vinification with cutting edge technology and a variety of fermentation vessels such as stainless steel, oak barrels, cement tanks or even amphoras.
- Compared to the past, the amount of added resin has been severely reduced. Producers are opting to find the right balance between the herbal, balsamic aromas of resin and the fruit expression of the grape variety.
- Resin should be picked and used when fresh in order to extract the finest of its aromas during vinification.
- The duration and the temperature of the extraction is carefully monitored and will define the flavor profile of the resulting wine.
Producers are constantly experimenting and trying to find the perfect balance. - Elegant aromas of pine, sage, rosemary, mastic gum, ginger and spices will compliment the fruit rather than dominating the flavor profile.
- The best new-age Retsinas are capable of cellaring