Maria Tzitzi: It is copying France, for example, which has a very good wine and food tradition. France is moving in crazy rhythms as well, but you can hardly see people eating in fast-food restaurants. You'll see people eating in brasserie, but not drinking Coke, even though young Frenchmen are living in crazy rhythms. Greeks have started travelling more, which enables us to see what happens outside our borders. This is the reason why we changed the way we produce wine. 20 years ago there were 5 wineries and today there are around 500, which prepare from 15 000 to 3 000 000 bottles of wine. The average consumer feels this. I do not think that quality will disappear…we will always try to find time for it. We need quality in our lives. It is a way of life.
GRREPORTER: How would you comment on today's dietary habits of Greeks?
Maria Tzitzi: Regarding children obesity in Europe we are raking as first. This says a lot about our eating habits. On the other hand, the Cretan and Mediterranean diets are coming from here... those two facts are contradicting each other. I believe at the moment we trying to find some balance. Years ago, we were more balanced. People spent more time sitting in their houses, cooking, there was also mom's kitchen. I am not sure whether this happens today... It cannot happen for obvious reasons, you understand what I mean. However, we have a gifted land, because we have olive oil, which is very important for our kitchen. We also have a sea that we can use for all of its blessings. Wine enters into this whole story.
However, according to statistics we drink less wine than 20 years ago (although wine we produce today has better quality).
GRREPORTER: What is the reason for this?
Maria Tzitzi: The reasons are many. Wine is quite an expensive product. Alcohol tests on the streets play an important role as well. It is not pleasant to drink two glasses of wine, for which you can be fined €700 and lose your driving license for two or three months. However, this happens all over Europe – there is a major problem with drinking when people go out. Another reason is the lack of time - it is clear that at noon you will eat something quickly. Years back it was easier for families to gather around the table for lunch and to drink some wine. We definitely drink less than 20 years ago... In return, we are number one in Europe for drinking whiskey.
GRREPORTER: Isn’t this a bit odd?
Maria Tzitzi: It’s a question of advertising. Whiskey is not even a Greek product, but it is advertised very well. This is the drink our youth drinks today…something that does not happen with wine. And if you ask them why they drink it, they will tell you that with a glass of whiskey they get drunk, but to get drunk with wine they need at least 4, 5 glasses. No one will go to the bar and order wine...
GRREPORTER: And yet we noticed that compared to other nations, Greeks do not get drunk.
Maria Tzitzi: Look, this is a question of climate as well. We live in a country that does not need so much alcohol. Here there is sun most days throughout the year. We do not need alcohol to get warmer and the sun helps improve our mood and makes us smile more. This is something that alcohol gives you on a more primary level. It helps you be happier. The place helps us have alcohol awareness - how much can you drink in this heat...
GRREPORTER: What dangers does alcohol hold?
Maria Tzitzi: Look, wine is an alcoholic product. Despite our great efforts for alcohol to be perceived by people as food, which just contains alcohol, the alcohol in it still exists... And alcohol alone holds great risks. Alcoholism is a serious problem. Of course, alcohol consumption should always be done in moderation. Wine, however, is not to be blamed for alcoholism. Reasons for alcoholism are many and they differ. Spirit drinks have greater blame for alcoholism - those which are around 40 degrees. Wine and beer are not the real dangers.
GRREPORTER: Which Greek wines mark success abroad?
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
