GREEK WINES AMBASSADOR
Greece is a country with amazing history, culture and gastronomy. Obviously, the country is producing wine for a very long time and has a strong heritage. The 64 000 hectares of vines benefit from an incredible diversity of terroirs, grape varieties (90% of the plantings are indigenous grape varieties) and winemaking know-hows. If for many years we haven’t seen a lot of these gems outside of Greece, it is currently changing thanks to a great dynamism of the Hellenic wine scene. Let’s meet one of the best Greek wines ambassadors: Yiannis Kazakasis. He is made in Greece, Master of Wine and founder of 50 Great Greek Wines Award.
VerdeVin: Could you introduce yourself and explain your journey in wine ?
Y.K: I’m Yiannis Karakasis, a Master of Wine based in Greece. My wine journey started after a career in the Hellenic Navy as a helicopter pilot. I was always fascinated by complexity, depth, and structure, and wine offered all of that, plus a cultural and emotional dimension. Since then, I’ve been involved as a wine writer, consultant, speaker, and educator, always with a focus on telling the story of Greek wine to a global audience.
VertdeVin: You achieved the prestigious Master of Wine title in 2015. Could you tell us a little bit more about this adventure ?
Y.K: It was a long, challenging, but deeply rewarding process. The MW program is not just about knowledge — it’s about critical thinking, tasting precision, and communication. For me, it helped shape my voice and provided a more structured perspective on the global wine landscape. I was proud to become one of the very few MWs in Southern Europe and to represent Greek wine in a more international context.
VertdeVin: If you could describe Greek wines to beginners, what would you say ?
Y.K: Greek wine is authenticity in a bottle. It’s about indigenous varieties with centuries of history, shaped by rugged landscapes, islands, and mountains. It’s diverse, refreshing, often saline or herbal, and made for food. If you love discovering something new, wines with character and a story, then Greek wine is for you.
VertdeVin: What are the strengths and weaknesses of Greek wines ?
Y.K: The strengths? Unique indigenous grapes, stunning terroirs, and a new generation of winemakers with real talent. The wines are becoming more precise, elegant, and internationally appealing. Weaknesses? Limited volume, fragmented production, and sometimes inconsistent marketing. But that’s changing. Greece is learning to tell its story better.
VertdeVin: What is the current wine consumption in Greece ? And in the world, what are the main Greek wine markets ?
Y.K: Greek wine consumption is relatively stable, though locals often consume bulk wine or house wines at tavernas. The export markets are growing — the US, Canada, Germany, the UK, and Cyprus are major destinations. Recently, we’ve seen increased interest in Poland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
VertdeVin: You founded the 50 Great Greek Wines Awards in 2019. Why? What? Where? When? Who? Tell us everything about these Awards !
Y.K: I founded the initiative in 2019 because we wanted to create something different, not just another competition, but a curated list that really reflects where Greek wine stands. It started as the 50 Great Greek Wines and is now just Great Greek Wines (GGW) to reflect its evolution.
The idea is simple: blind-taste wines from across Greece and Cyprus with an international jury of respected professionals, and award only about 10%. That creates a sharp, high-impact selection that serves as a guide for professionals, buyers, and sommeliers.
It took place in Athens, but the list travels with tastings and masterclasses abroad. It’s all about creating real conversations around Greek wine.
VertdeVin: You just released the results of the 2025 Great Greek Wines Awards, and you disclosed the weight of each bottle. Why is that important ?
Y.K: We introduced this initiative with Gregory Michailos to raise awareness of sustainability. The wine industry can reduce its carbon footprint by making lighter glass bottles, and we wanted to start this conversation in Greece. By disclosing the weight, we highlight best practices and encourage producers to rethink packaging. It’s a small but meaningful step. And we award a sustainability prize for wines that fulfil three criteria: grapes sourced from bio certified vineyards, glass bottle weight <420 gr and use of renewable energy
VertdeVin: Will it be possible to attend tasting events with these wines around the world ?
Y.K: Yes, absolutely. GGW is not just a list — it’s a living platform. We organise tastings, masterclasses, and wine dinners internationally. Events have already taken place in Paris, London, Warsaw, Antwerp, Amsterdam — and this year, we’re heading to Hamburg and Sylt in Germany, among other destinations. It’s all about bringing the wines to the right audiences.
Here is the list for 2025 https://greatgreekwines.com/ggw-2025-the-list/