Besides virtual miracles in quality, Greek wine production also boasts a considerable amount of innovation. This, however, should not lead to the wrong impression that a bottle may contain a technologically perfect but organoleptically impersonal wine. On the contrary, an example of innovation in Greek wine is exactly this co-existence of old and new -the use of technology and the most modern methods aiming at promoting, as strongly as possible, the unique character of the Greek vineyard and its wines.
New Greek wines carry a long history and a heritage which comprises unique viticultural practices and a treasure of local grape varieties. This, combined with the contribution of keen producers who apply modern, human-scale wine production, make the new Greek wines different and unique. Nevertheless, the producers do not rest there, because continuous development is a very important factor for wine! Thus, innovation in Greek wine has been considerable for several decades now. They start from the vine and reach the glasses of new and seasoned oenophiles, enchanting them. The promotion of the quality and character of Greek wines, and the strengthening of their image in the international wine market require innovative actions, from the vine root to the bottle. Innovation in Greek wine proves and consolidates their prominent position worldwide.
The vinification and equipment of many Greek wineries set examples of technological development. Innovative vinification has made Greece among the most technologically advanced wine producing countries in this field.
Innovative vinification starts from the most contemporary presses which allow the extraction of must in conditions of oxygen absence. In a country like Greece, where temperatures during the fermentation period are especially high, the use of stainless tanks with multiple walls that contain coolants is a absolutely necessary, while heat exchangers can cool the must in record time. Investments in innovative vinification also include red wine vinifiers, many of which are extremely advanced and undertake the task of extracting the color and potency but not the aggressiveness of the skin of the red grapes. Furthermore, barrels and wooden tanks often used for the maturation and vinification of whites and reds are of top quality and are frequently replaced, making Greek cellars a real pleasure to the eye. They also secure excellent sanitation for sensitive wines.
Innovative vinification is found in many different ways. After the prevalence of selected yeasts in the preferences of Greek oenologists due to the safety and possibility of control they offer, Greek wine making has also started making use of local yeasts through a more systematic and explorative approach. It is worth noting, however, that the leading position of the selected yeasts is not the result of coincidence but of long experimentation with various strains that were found to bolster the uniqueness of the aromas and tastes of Greek wines.
Particular attention is paid to the stabilization of wines in modern tanks, as well as to filtering through modern methods (e.g. diatomaceous earth filters) which add one more piece of puzzle to the state-of-the-art innovative vinification.
The dedication of Greek wine making to advanced technology and innovative vinification is officially recognized, since a very big percentage of the new wines of Greece come from wineries that have gained the strictest quality assurance certifications ISO and HACCP.
Furthermore, experimental and micro-vinifications, either by agencies or private entrepreneurs (or joint schemes) -often in the form of experimental planting, constitute an inextricable part of innovative vinification in a country aspiring to be part of the world wine scene and are systematically applied.
