Classification
Product TypeProcessed Food
Product FormBottled (Liquid)
Industry PositionProcessed Beverage Product
Market
Still wine is a flagship value-added agricultural product for Greece, supported by a large number of PDO/PGI wine regions and strong differentiation through indigenous grape varieties. The domestic market is structurally important due to tourism and on-trade demand, while export promotion emphasizes premium positioning and authenticity. Production is spread across multiple mainland and island viticultural zones, with the grape harvest concentrated in late summer to early autumn. Regulatory alignment with EU wine rules shapes labeling, GI protection, and trade documentation practices.
Market RoleProducer and exporter (EU-origin wine market) with significant domestic consumption
Domestic RoleCore beverage category in retail and foodservice, strongly linked to tourism and hospitality demand
SeasonalityWine is available year-round, but grape harvest and primary vinification are seasonally concentrated in late summer to early autumn.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Assyrtiko
- Agiorgitiko
- Xinomavro
- Moschofilero
- Savatiano
Physical Attributes- Standard still-wine formats are typically 750 ml glass bottles with cork or screwcap closures for retail and on-trade.
- Export programs often require strong packaging integrity (carton strength, bottle protection) to reduce breakage risk.
Compositional Metrics- Label-declared alcohol by volume (ABV) is a core specification metric for still wine.
- Sulfites/allergen declarations are a key compliance-related specification element for wine labels.
Grades- PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) wines
- PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) wines
- Varietal/region-labeled wines outside PDO/PGI programs (as permitted)
Packaging- 750 ml glass bottle
- Cartons for case shipping
- Bulk formats (where commercially agreed) for certain value segments
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Vineyard management and harvest → grape reception and sorting → crushing/pressing → fermentation → stabilization/aging → filtration (as needed) → bottling and labeling → case packing → distribution/export
Temperature- Temperature-controlled fermentation is commonly used to manage aroma and quality, especially for white wines.
- Storage and transport conditions that avoid heat exposure help reduce quality degradation risk during distribution.
Atmosphere Control- Oxygen management during processing and packaging (e.g., inert gas use) is important to reduce oxidation risk in still wines.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life outcomes are sensitive to heat exposure, oxygen ingress (closure performance), and time in transit for export routes.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Climate HighExtreme heat, drought, and wildfire events in Greece can sharply disrupt grape yields and affect still-wine quality (including harvest timing and potential smoke/heat stress impacts), creating supply volatility and contract-fulfillment risk for export programs.Diversify sourcing across multiple Greek regions and elevation bands; require supplier climate-risk plans (irrigation strategy where permitted, canopy management, harvest contingency) and review insurance/force-majeure terms.
Logistics MediumBottled still wine is sensitive to freight-rate volatility and heat exposure in transit; cost spikes or inadequate temperature handling can erode margins and increase quality claims or breakage losses.Use robust palletization/carton specs, consider heat-mitigation during peak summer lanes, and lock freight rates where feasible for core programs.
Regulatory Compliance MediumEU wine labeling requirements (including rules governing provision of ingredients and nutrition information and GI presentation) can create compliance and relabeling risk if packaging is not aligned to the latest EU guidance and application rules.Run label compliance checks against current EU rules and guidance; maintain version control of label artwork and ensure GI claims match registered specifications.
Sustainability- Climate adaptation (heat, drought) in Mediterranean viticulture zones
- Wildfire exposure and vineyard landscape fire management in vulnerable regions
- Glass packaging carbon footprint and transport emissions sensitivity for export shipments
Labor & Social- Seasonal labor management and heat-stress protections during harvest operations
- Responsible recruitment and working-conditions due diligence for seasonal and migrant labor where used in vineyard and cellar operations
Standards- ISO 22000
- BRCGS Food Safety
- IFS Food
FAQ
When did the EU start applying new wine labeling rules for ingredients and nutrition information?The European Commission stated that new rules on labeling ingredients and nutritional values for wine and aromatised wine products entered into application on 8 December 2023, with electronic disclosure options such as QR codes allowed for certain information.
Which indigenous grape varieties are commonly highlighted in Greek still-wine positioning?Enterprise Greece highlights Xinomavro and Agiorgitiko among key red varieties and Assyrtiko and Moschofilero among key white varieties in Greek wine export-facing promotion.
Where can buyers verify protected geographical indications (PDO/PGI) relevant to Greek wines?The European Commission lists protected wine geographical indications in its public GI registers, including the eAmbrosia register, which centralizes EU GI legal registration data.