This Years Grape Harvest in Greece

I guess it’s true what they say, “when it rains, it pours”. Many things didn’t go well for Greece this year, including the grape harvest.

This was the first year we were to harvest from the vines that we had planted four years ago. Things were going well up until mid August and we were really excited about finally producing our first bottle of “Chateau de Two Peas”. Everyone on the island including us had bunches and bunches of lovely grapes hanging on every vine. Then the wind came.

Traditional Andros Island Variety: Rosato

It Produces A Golden, Brandy-Like Wine Favored By The Local People

It was a hot dry wind and it lasted twenty-two days. The grapes began to dry out and literally turn into raisins and we couldn’t water them whilst the wind was blowing lest we create a bigger problem by attracting fungus to the plants. We did, however, end up with about ten liters of grape juice in the freezer derived from the cabernet sauvignon and merlot that were a bit more protected.

The Grapes Are Picked Early In The Morning And Left In The Sun For A Few Hours To Raise The Sugar Levels Before Pressing. This Raises The Alcohol Content In The Wine.

Our friends Lefteri and Frosia were a little luckier. The area where their vineyard is located is sheltered from the strongest winds and although they didn’t have as much as last year, this still had a pretty good harvest. We arrived at their vineyard at about seven in the morning and began picking, hauling, stomping and straining until around four in the afternoon when we all sat down to a wonderful meal of traditional Greek dishes lovingly prepared by Frosia and her mother.

In This Particular Village In Andros, Woman Aren't Allowed To "Stomp" The Grapes, It's Said That "They'll Spoil The Wine". So We Got To Sit And Relax On The Vine Shaded Veranda While The Boys Got To It.

Try This
This is a quick, healthy and refreshing snack that's great when you don't have a lot a time but need to get something nutritious down your gullet.

Quick Recipe
2 cups Plain Yoghurt [whichever type you prefer]
1 cup Grapes [roughly chopped]
1/2 cup Dry Coconut
3 tablespoons Honey
1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Mix & Enjoy!

Reader Hints

Nancy P has suggested adding 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg to this recipe.