Chania

“Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the gods to man.” – Plato.

Our ancestors placed wine at the heart of everyday life and culture -as a staple of their diet, as an important trade commodity, but also for religious, social and medicinal purposes. Inhabitants of Greece’s largest island were no exception, but in fact groundbreaking champions of wine. With a continuous presence since Minoan times, Cretan wines have a millennial history that puts them in the center of local folklore, myths, and customs. Imbued with nutritional and merry -making qualities; invariably present at the table; to be shared with family and friends in everyday and joyful occasions; even consumed to the point of ecstasy in special feasts and fiestas- a remnant of the Dionysian cult; but also as a cure for a host of ailments and an important source of commerce and income. Extending over 50.000 acres of fertile land, the Cretan vineyard is the third-largest in Greece, yielding some 95.000 tons that account for 20% of the total produce. Despite their rather late (and at the beginning somewhat unfortunate) adaptation to current demands and imperatives, local producers are nowadays becoming increasingly sophisticated. Cretan wines, falling into several P.D.O. (Protected Designation of Origin) and P.G.I. (Protected Geographical Indication) categories; some even hailing from ancient varieties saved from complete extinction through the work of a new wave of eager winemakers, are starting to acquire international praise and acclaim. Likewise, thanks to the efforts of pioneering local producers, along with the rise of agro and wine tourism, visitors coming to Crete from the four corners of the globe are today realizing that there is so much more than its exotic beaches…

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