Sensory Discrimination of Dry Red Wines from Greece

Dry red wines (24), from different regions of Greece and UK retailers, were profiled by 17 assessors using a sensory vocabulary of 60 attributes. Wines were blends and single varietal products of indigenous--principally Aghiorghitiko, Xinomavro and Liatiko--and also international varieties--mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. Vocabulary reduction from usage yielded 41 attributes; finally 31 from averaging of attributes in different classes--aroma, taste, mouthfeel and aftertaste. Cretan wines, primarily from Liatiko, were differentiated on appearance, including L*a*b* reflectance colorimeter measurements, and flavour attributes. Peloponnese Aghiorghitiko and Cabernet Sauvignon wines were clustered, linked to fruity characters.