📜 Retsina of Attica
A traditional white wine with added pine resin from Attica.
Retsina of Attica is a traditional Greek white wine with pine resin added. It is produced in Attica, the area around Athens. The name retsina comes from a Greek word for resin. The wine has a protected geographical indication (PGI) in the European Union.
The history is tied to clay vessels. In ancient times they were sealed with resin to keep wine from spoiling, and the resin gave the drink a distinct piney flavour. Over time this flavour became traditional, and resin began to be added on purpose. Today a small amount of Aleppo pine resin is put into the must or wine.
The main grapes are Savatiano and Roditis, also the main white varieties of the area. The wine is a white still wine and is linked to the Central Greece and Attica region. It is served cold, and the taste is resinous, dry and unusual for first-time drinkers. Retsina is usually served chilled, and the resin flavour is best approached gradually.
How it connects to Wine
📜 Retsina of Attica ← main grape of ← 🍇 Savatiano → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Where it is
- 📍 Central Greece and Attica
- Main grapes
- 🍇 Savatiano, 🍇 Roditis
- Wines
- 🍷 White wine, 🍷 Still wine
Frequently asked questions
What is retsina?
A Greek white wine with pine resin added.
Which grapes make Retsina of Attica?
Mainly Savatiano and Roditis.
Why is resin added to the wine?
It is a tradition: in ancient times vessels were sealed with resin, and the flavour stayed in custom.
Similar
📜 Retsina of Euboea · 📜 Retsina of Boeotia · 📜 Retsina of Thebes · 📜 Retsina of Megara · 📍 Anchialos · 📜 Thebes
⚠️ Wine contains alcohol: adults only, drink in moderation. Wine usually contains sulphites; egg white or milk proteins are sometimes used for fining — important for allergies and for vegans.