Trygos (Τρύγος) means grape harvest in Greek and September is know as Trygitis–the month of the wine harvest. The vine is one of the three sacred essential crops that go back to ancient times along with wheat and olive. Each household usually had their own vines and olives, so that they always have a supply of wine, petimezi (grape syrup used for sweets and beverages), olives and olive oil. Nowadays, the harvest is connected with various local festivals that provide much food, wine, music and dancing in various locations around Greece. However, traditionally, the harvest was a difficult, but joyous task that ended with the stomping of grapes. There was not a festival as such but the reward of freshly fermenting wine and petimezi (grape syrup) that would last for a year.
The vine is not only for wine, petimezi and grapes. After the pressing of grapes, the remnants of the grapes are also fermented and distilled in November to become tsipouro, tsikoudia or raki–a delicious spirit like Italian grappa. Vine branches cut during the harvest are used to roast lamb. In spring and early summer, the vine produces tender grape leaves harvested for dolmas.
The celebration of harvest!
The wine festival in Helidonas, Evitanias (Central Greece close to Karpenisi)
Wine was sacred to ancient Greeks as well and Dionysus was the God of the vine. 6500 year old evidence of wine was found in a Neolithic settlement in northern Greece, close to the town of Drama. Wine was consumed daily, as it is today in Greece, but diluted with water. There remains the expression in Modern Greek, “to put water in your wine”, which means to soften your stance and compromise.
The Ancients also had an annual wine festival called the Anthestiria. This was a celebration in January -February to celebrate the opening of wine barrels when the wine had been fermented and was ready to drink. Anthe means flower and it is thought the name of the feastival, “Anthestiria”, came from the floral bouquet of the wine.
