The Greeks began to produce wine in 2,500 BC. This divine gift was never absent from the table of the common people of labor, but also of the rulers. A glass from their own vineyard soothed fatigue and toil. This Greek wine has now won international distinctions and its domestic production holds a viticultural and winemaking tradition with strong roots and continuity.
Greece undoubtedly has one of the longest wine histories in the world, as wine has been part of civilization since ancient times. Even if they were not the first country to produce wine, the development of the wine culture that included cultivation, wine production, legislation, trade and of course the art of wine consumption can be attributed to the ancient Greeks. Moreover, the heritage of classical Greece holds a fascination especially for the most educated populations of the world, which further strengthens this belief.
For many decades, the innovations of Greek wines have been admirable. The promotion of their quality and character, as well as the strengthening of their image in the international wine market have evolved through innovative actions that have had an effect to all aspects of winemaking from the vineyard… to the bottle. Modern winemakers use unique viticultural practices, having managed to create excellent wines, many with designations of origin that are now known worldwide.
Among them, the wines of Chalkidiki, which have enjoyed a considerable reputation since ancient times. Testimonies dating back to the 5th century BC mention the white tight (dry) and soft (semi-sweet) wine of Mendi (a town in the south-west of the Kassandra peninsula). Akanthos (Ierissos) and Afytis (Afytos) were also in the pantheon of fame, while in Stagira, Aristotle planted the first model vineyard.
