(ES) - How much do you know about Greek wine? We thought so. Ahead of London's Greek Wine Festival, we spoke to Theodore Kyriakou, the founder of The Greek Larder, to find out what you need to know.

There are lots of indigenous vine grapes

Greece has so many of its own distinctive indigenous vine grapes - more than many of our Eastern-Mediterranean neighbours – and our producers have continued to raise the bar of expectations from these almost forgotten varieties found across all of Greece’s intriguing and picturesque landscape. Tasting Greek wines is like a never-ending story. Just when you think you understand it all, you taste a wine that comes from nowhere and knocks you off your feet.  

Wine-making was discouraged under Turkish rule

During the years of the Ottoman Empire, which lasted for over 400 years, the Turks discouraged winemaking and its consumption. It meant that many winegrowers were forced to abandon their vineyards. During this time wine was produced mainly in the regions surrounding monasteries or in places that were under the influence of the Venetians, such as Santorini and Crete. Over the years, the Greeks have been slowly bringing these vineyards back to life, allowing the seasons, wind and weather to work their magic at their own pace.