English | Greek Wine World

Irrigation to produce high quality wines

By Stephanos Koundouras

Irrigation is the most controllable vineyard management technique in determining grape and wine quality under semi-arid conditions

Traditionally grapevine was a nonirrigated crop covering extended areas in semi-arid regions. However, the current climate changes (significant rise in average growth season temperature and evapotranspiration) have increased drought impacts on vine productivity and grape quality. On the other hand, it is well known that, to produce wines according to the quality specifications of today’s wine market (especially red ones), grapevine varieties have to be grown under environmental stress that most commonly implies a limitation of water availability in certain stages of vine growth cycle. Extensive research and practical experience over the last two decades in vineyards worldwide have shown that moderate water deficit increases berry quality potential (via shoot growth cessation, reduction of berry size, steady ripening process and stimulation of phenolic and aroma compound synthesis) and winery net profits (despite reducing yields in most cases). Moreover, irrigation remains the single most controllable factor in determining grape and wine quality (especially in areas where summer rainfall is scarce) and, thus, is a key factor in vineyard management for achieving both high quality standards and substantial economies in water resources.

9.10.2009

The Greek-American Dream

By Alexandra Manousakis

As a little girl growing up in Washington, D.C. it was always my dream to eventually move to Greece. Having vacationed in Crete religiously every summer I knew that one day I would end up on this mythical island where everything seemed heavenly. After graduating from Washington International School I set off for the other city I loved, New York, where I attended New York University.

There I studied Business Administration, Art and Hellenic Studies at the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. It was at NYU that I was able to cultivate even more my fascination with Greece and, more specifically, with Crete. I tried tapping into my roots by becoming president of the Hellenic Heritage Association (a club for students of Greek origin on campus) and I started to learn about Modern Greek history and focused my studies on Modern Greek identity. I spent my weekends at Greek clubs in Astoria, Queens and you could say I was as much in the Greek world of America as I could be at that point.

1.07.2009

Vineyards of soul

By Mike Jones

Mike Jones is the assistant winemaker at Gentilini. In this report he shares insight from his unique experience in working on two very different island vineyards. NM

All is not well with the wineries of New Zealand. Too much commercial wine has been produced and they have reached a saturation point. The vinegrowers and big wineries have been too greedy with their yield over the past 20 years which has resulted in cheap wine for the masses which has been good for the wine trade. But is that what the market needs right now?

Upon arrival to the East Cape this year, the Gisborne Herald headlined a story that would upset any wine producer. ‘Grapegrowing Glut’ by Debbie Gregory (18^th Feb ’09 http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/) explained that Constellation were to blame for leaving what I found out to be a conservative estimate of 650 Tonne of varieties used to blend with Sauvignon Blanc, on the vine. These normally early ripeners meant that the season was put back 2 to 3 weeks which meant that most overseas workers were left to find other work for that space of time. I was one of those workers and so found a job pinning nets in the vineyards of Gisborne. This gave me a good opportunity to nose around and have a good look and compare with the vineyards of Kefalonia.

3.06.2009

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New contribution by Nico now available in Greece at News Stand - Eleftheroudakis, Papasotiriou, Public, Fnac and selected International Bookshops