Now that the Holiday season is over and grey days start to lose their magic, isn't it the best moment to think about our next summer holidays? Sunny beaches, warm sand and crystal clear seas. Maybe a bit of a Mediterranean atmosphere and a nice glass of wine to go with it?
There is a place boasting all those ingredients and even more. It's the Greek island of Crete, big enough to cater for all your holiday needs, yet wild and full of astonishing, untouched landscapes to marvel at. On Crete you can get lost among the ruins of its mysterious Minoan past, submerge in its culture with a visit to its many museums, or simply relax on one of the many pristine beaches all around the island. You can hike impressive gorges and mountains or splurge on a shopping therapy session around cities like Heraklion, Chania or Rethymno. But there's more.
This land, blessed by mild temperatures and rather long summers, is tracing a top trend as far as gastronomy is concerned. Crete is home to the most genuine Mediterranean tastes, where vegetables and fruit are grown in a natural way. There's no new biological fashion going on. It's always been that way and there is no need for change.
A land of character. The same character shared by the warm, welcoming locals... and by its impressive wines.
The history of wine on Crete can be traced back in time thousands of years. The ancient Minoan civilization based their striving economy on products that are still the region's trademark, among them olive oil and, of course, wine. After a long road down the paths of history, marked by countless invasions, battles and wars, wine has proven its resilience. It survived and rose in full splendor with the most genuine tools: indigenous varieties.
At present, a generation of innovative winemakers are producing a selection of fine tastes that are gaining a rightful position in the global market. Trusting on their own varieties, local wines are gaining international recognition around the world thanks to a unique character and a veritable identity. The key reason behind this rise of the local wines is mostly related to self-confidence, tradition and constant search for quality.
Cretan wine production accounts for about a 15% of Greek wine. But don't think about the old tradition of retsina... The scene has changed deeply and with surprising results. There are four Protected Designation of Origin on Crete: Archanes, Peza, Daphne and Sitia. White native varieties such as Vidiano and Vilana are shining stars with their fascinating aromas and unique flavors. Among the red ones, Liatiko, with its a peculiar sweetness and Mantilari, maybe the one that better depicts the nature of the whole island: wild, rebel and unbroken.
A visit to Crete is not all (or at least not only) about going to the beach. Wineries have a hospitable policy of open doors, offering visits, tasting sessions and wine trails to anybody willing to know me about them. A captivating approach for those interested in a whole new experience of taste on one of the most beautiful islands of the Mediterranean.
Stroll among the hilly region of Peza, spend an afternoon devoted to the jewels of the Cretan vineyard, a hidden treasure making its way into well-deserved celebrity.
Thanks to Mr. Nicos Miliarakis, President of Wines of Crete, and Stella Astirakakis for providing us all the necessary information to produce this article.