The Greeks were single-handedly responsible for spreading wine growing throughout much of the Mediterranean basin; Italy's debt to the Greeks is written into the etymology of grape names with such varieties as Greco, Aglianico and Grechetto being grown to this day. Various substances were added to Greek wine, both to flavour and preserve it: sea water, herbs and of course tree resin being amongst them. The modern Greek wine industry however is thriving, enjoying popularity for its fascinating library of indigenous grape varieties and multiplicity of climates. Once again, Greece is back at the high table of European wine producing countries.
