Cretan Wines
The winemaking tradition of Crete dates back to the Minoan Civilization (almost 4000 years ago). The oldest wine press in the world was discovered on Crete near the village of Archanes. The unique Cretan ecosystem provides the ideal environment for the production of fine wine. The vineyards of Crete are planted on the northern part of the island, protected from the warm African winds by the mountains that crisscross the island.
While most Cretan Wines are made from native grape varieties such as Vidiano, Vilana, Thrapsathiri (for Cretan white wines) and Kotsifali, Mandilari and Liatico (for Cretan red wines) many producers have begun to experiment with grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc.
