Ρετσίνα Μεγάρων (Retsina Megaron)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Rolling terrain with vineyards on alternating hills, from the coast up to an elevation of 350 m.
• Soils predominantly calcareous, locally sandy-clay-silty and silty-clayey.
• Mediterranean, xerothermic climate: a complete absence of rainfall in summer, with sea breezes.
• Average temperatures of 25–30 °C in summer and ~10–14 °C in winter; rainfall ~300 mm/year.
• In winter, northeasterly winds prevail; in summer, seasonal μελτέμια.

• The production of retsina dates back at least to 2200–2700 BC, with archaeological finds of resinated wine in southern Crete.
• The use of pine resin began as a method of sealing amphorae to prevent oxidation, before evolving into an aromatic practice.

• The distinctiveness of these wines is attributed to the combination of soil, climate, and the influence of the summer winds.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — ypaat
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-GR-A1596
• Official trade body site — Wines of Greece (EDOAO)