Sadly, during the 1960s, retsina came to dominate all associations with Greek wine. But retsina was only part of the story.

In ancient times, Greece played a crucial role in the development of the wine culture of Europe. Nearly two thousand years of foreign occupation took a toll on her fortunes, yet many of Greece's rich viticultural resources remain intact. During the last forty years the Greek wine industry has struggled to regain its name. Now, armed with an ocean of indigenous cultivars, a superior climate for grape growing, and an abundance of brainpower and technological resources, Greek wine now presents exciting new--and ancient--possibilities for wine lovers around the world (Offers of Greek wine at Agrelma - http://www.agrelma.com/it/showroom/showvinxx.asp/Naz/07 .

In the past two decades, Greece has undergone a revolution in which quality, individuality and history are the hallmarks of a new generation of Greek wine producers determined to make their mark abroad (The last requests for Greek wine at Agrelma - http://www.agrelma.com/uk/domoff/visricacq-vino.asp/ssettore/4/Nazione/39/Vini/0 .

The success of Greece's red wines in export markets is often thought to hinge on just a couple of red wine grapes; Agiorgitiko and Xynomavro. At just the time these varieties have begun being taken seriously outside of Greece, however, the cultivation and vinification of more obscure cultivars are stealing some of the spotlight. This only adds to the intrigue.

Many on the periphery of the wine trade in Greece lack faith in Greek white wines generally. It is often said that Greece's red wines are naturally superior to her whites. Not true. The winemakers themselves, thankfully, harbor no such illusions, exhibiting pride and the consistent pursuit of excellence in their white wine vinifications. In our contacts we encountered greater numbers of enologists believing their red wines perpetually in need of tweaking. Perhaps this is because standards for red wine tend to be more rigorous, particular or pretentious. Then, again, tweaking is what enologists get paid to do. Be that as it may, there is no dearth of potential from Greece's native cultivars now that winemakers are understanding how to (and when not to) tame them.

There are a number of red or pink-skinned Greek cultivars used to produce white wine, including Roditis and Sideritis, but Moschofilero (below) is currently the only true blanc de gris grape of indigenous origin important in wine production in Greece.

To know more visit www.agrelma.com