The Greek Resinated WineYou Should be Trying
Pine juice offers a different touch to taste. Resin as such stands for the natural fresh pine juice originating from the trunk of local pine tree species growing in the Attica region. Resinated Wines are white dry gourmet wines.
The Greek tradition describes Resinated Wine as a popular wine with full strong mouth taste. This barrel wine of rich amber color is available in most Athens tavernas.Resinated Wines are nice when fresh but excellent as they mature.
Retsina On Your Table
Also known as Retsina, Resinated Wines have strong friends and bad enemies as well. The dry character of this white wine does not keep you inert. Most of the sabbatiano fruit flavor is retained when this wine is sparkling fresh. The dryness is more pronounced in the mouth when this wine is mature.
The best serving conditions for this drink is when chilled at 5 – 7 degrees centigrade. Eating and drinking would be a long endless process when Retsina is accompanied by the Mediterranean style of food.
Growing in Popularity
Resinated Wine is growing in popularity the world over. However, it is not likely to enter the mainstream shortly. Retsina wine from Greece comes in a variety of styles. The white Assyrtiko grape has been turning sommeliers’ heads for quite some time now.
This particular type of Greek wine is partially made from the trendy Assyrtiko grape. With historical roots going back to at least 2000 years, this Resinated Wine is no flash in the pan.
Peculiar Style of Retsina Wine
The reason these wines from Greece take on a distinctive resinous taste is that they use tree resin, mostly from the pine tree, in the winemaking process. Some people find this very attractive. The Greek Retsina is considered to be the world’s best known Resinated Wine.
Like Champagne or Pomerol, the term ‘Retsina’ is protected due to the geographic origin of the wine according to the European Union. This legal designation means that Resinated Winemakers from other countries and regions will not be able to label their wine as Retsina. Only wines coming from the country of Greece are true Retsina.
Making of Resinated Wine
Greeks used to make Retsina wine just in the same way of making any other wine. The main difference however was in the aging and maturation process. While most wines nowadays are aged in stainless steel or oak barrels, the Greeks for Retsina utilize amphorae or old clay containers.
They would seal the wine inside the container by using pine resin to protect it from oxidation in the making of Retsina. Retsina should, therefore, be desisted from associating with other white wines as they have strong color and pronounced flavors.
History of Retsina Wine
Possessing a classical ubiquitous style of wine, Retsina is thousands of years old. Every taverna in Greece would afford to stock Retsina. This wine is found on the wine lists of even the most sophisticated upper-class restaurants as well. Retsina has given the highest degree of recognition of all Greek wines. Retsina was originally called ‘Savatiano’.
About 40 years ago when this wine name developed into a brand was it named Retsina. This happened at a time when major wineries in Greek and Western European markets were flooded with cheap Resinated Wine.
Retsina During the 1990s –
The eating habits of young Greeks significantly changed during the 1990s. Tourists to the country as well increasingly demanded standardized food dishes. Grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc were in greater demand than typical domestic wines.
However, acceptance and change in demand practically provoked the agony of the traditional quality of wine production in the region. Some wine producers during the 1980s consciously brought change at the helm of some estates. They returned to the old insight that tradition means handing on the flame and not looking after the ashes.
Greek Retsina Now –
The wine scene in Greece today is very active indeed. Be it traditional or international style, wine producers successfully compete at all levels. The new Retsina is a rediscovered treasure of indigenous varieties. Individualistic expression and special aesthetics make up for newer categories.
Retsina is still a part of everyday life in Greece. Tourists visiting Greece have also taken it as a part of the holiday spirit.Retsina now is considered almost an obligation that a tourist is expected to fulfill. Downing a glass or two of Resinated Wine is relished by the visitors. Tourists from German-speaking countries of Europe very well know the name Retsina and have tasted it at least once.
Add Resin to White Wine
General lack of knowledge of this Greek wine among consumers and restaurant owners had kept the prospects bleak. Retsina now appears to be predominating the taste impression of wine drinkers. Retsina or Resinated Wine is unusual with a taste somewhere between pine-scented vinegar and flat apple juice with a turpentine flavor. Retsina producers are now standing up more vociferously for their passion and which eventually is showing positive results.
