Greece
2015: Gold 1 Silver 7 Bronze 5 Commended 4
2014: Gold 1 Silver 1 Bronze 0 Commended 4
We’ve never had sufficient medals to make it worth separating off the Greek entries before, so 2015 was something of a landmark for the country. Proof, too, that there’s a good deal of residual affection for Greece among the sommelier community, if the comments below are anything to go by.
The whites were more popular than the reds, with Malagouzia and, particularly, Assyrtiko attracting a lot of positive feedback. Hell, we even found a medal for a Retsina!
Star Performer
Rarely, if ever, has one category been so dominated by one submitter, with all but two of the medals going to Hallgarten.
From the Tasting Teams
‘There were some really lovely wines in the white flight. The only question mark would be over the price. There wasn’t much that we liked under £10.’ Laura Rhys MS, team leader
‘With Greece what you are looking for is something a little bit different, expressive, something that suggests its origin and lets customers know that it is from Greece.’ Stuart Skea, Champany Inn & Wine Cellars
‘A lot of people are interested in wines like this. People want to try something different. They are relatively easy to sell to adventurous people if you get behind them.’ George Bergier, The Victorian Chop House Company
‘I’d be tempted to try the whites with Asian food – something that’s not overly cooked. The aromatics of the food would work with the style of the wines.’ Guillaume Kaczmar, L’Ortolan
‘Greek wine is there to provoke conversation. You should find something different, along with an approachable and pleasant drink.’ Sarah Guignard, The French Table