Aspects of Greek culture
Wine and ouzo
Samos has been famous for its wine since antiquity and produces one of the best-known Muscat wines in the world. It has one of the most famous vineyard areas in the whole of Greece covering some 3,700 acres of the island. The vineyards are often terraced and usually only two rows wide, found up to altitudes of up to 2,600 feet and produce grapes with very different degrees of maturity. The appellation "Samos Muscat" can only be pressed from the Moscato Samou variety which grows in about 98% of the vineyard area. Several variations of "Samos Muscat" are available, including:
Samos Nectar
A naturally sweet wine produced from over-ripe Muscat grapes, hand picked and dried in the sun for several days to develop its high degree of sweetness. It is aged in oak barrels for a period of three years and is best enjoyed with sweets and fruit.
Samos Vin Doux
A sweet wine made from ripe, aromatic extremely sweet grapes with a fruit flavor and ideal with sweets and fruits.
Samena Golden
A dry white table wine produced from selected rich mountain vineyards. It has a distinct mellow taste and the fantastic bouquet of Muscat grapes. An easy wine to drink and enjoy.
Doryssa
A dry white table wine produced in specially selected mountain vineyards with a bouquet of Muscat grapes.
Selana
A dry rosé table wine produced from a combination of two rare red varieties of wine, the Phochian and the Retinian.
Samos Grand Cru
A sweet wine with deep aroma, mellowness and tingling sensation of overripe Muscat grapes made from a selected limited production. The full flavour of ripe grapes is a ideal with all foods and it can also be served as an aperitif.
Ouzo
The most famous export from Greece (with, perhaps, the exception of Demis Roussos), every region of Greece makes its own ouzo and Samos is no different where production methods and recipes remain closely-guarded secrets!
Ouzo is based on pure alcohol which is diluted with water and then has herbs added to it. Anise is the main ingredient, giving ouzo its aniseed flavour, and other herbs used can include fennel seeds, star aniseed, coriander and cardamom. The mixture is distilled in copper vats until it is considered ready.
Ouzo is not drunk neat – for reasons that become obvious if you try! It is mixed with water to dilute the effect of the alcohol and gives the glass of ouzo its distinctive "cloudy" look. Some tavernas will offer you ice as well. It is ideal to enjoy in the sunshine of Samos and you will find it is drunk at almost any time of day and is ideal as an apertif or a digestif.
Retsina
Nearly as well known as ouzo outside of Greece, retsina is a pine-resinated wine. Produced by adding small pieces of resin of the Aleppo pine (which in Greek is called retsíní) to traditionally made wine, it makes a drink that can be an acquired taste. Again, locally produced versions are available on Samos.