There is much history in Greece in winegrowing as in everything else, but most of the last three and a half millennia won’t be of much interest. However centuries of domination and exploitation by Ottoman Turks took their toll, and while Greeks could have been establishing wonderful wine areas they were being held in impoverished servitude and watching their ancient wine traditions disappearing. Now, thank goodness, that is changing. Greek producers are regaining their mojo with a vengeance, they are proud again of their vinous heritage and they’re revivifying their authochthonous grape varieties. Greece is a brilliant country that has spent most of the last millennium being oppressed so it is a real pleasure to taste the results of this renaissance. (CW 13/09/18)

This small country of contrasts and conflict does an extraordinary job of functioning at all, never mind producing world class wine. Making almost entirely white wine until the French arrived just after the first World War bringing grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, Carignan, the output swung strongly towards red wine. Most wine is made in the Bekaa valley, an almost perfect winegrowing site with warm days and cool nights, imbuing ripeness and freshness at the same time. (CW 23/01/12)