In a list of the 50 best wines for Christmas 2016 according to the Guardian newspaper, there are only two Greek wines that get a mention.
One is Samos Vin Doux 2015, which gets a “star buy” mention and the other is, thankfully a well known wine of Crete, Lyrarakis Dafni, 2015.
It really did used to be that case that Crete only produced low quality wines in order to “feed” the “cheap wine” tourist market, but that is not the case anymore. There are now some real diamonds in the marketplace and new wines are being made all the time, by the 30 plus wineries scattered across the rich and fertile slopes of the Island.
The main types of grape which suit the climate and the ground type and thrive here, are amongst others, the Vilana, Vidiano, Dafni, Kotsifali, Mantilari, Merlot and Syrah.
Cretan wines really do deserve a place on our holiday table. Recommendations from someone who has been following the new trends and the growth of the Cretan wine “scene”, for the holiday season would be:-
Red wines
Aspros Lagos (White Hare), by Douloufakis
This is a wine made exclusively from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and it matures in oak barrels for twelve months. It has won many awards for the winery over the years.
Speedy Mantilari Nouveau 2016, by Gavalas
The first organic beaujolais nouveau from Crete
White wines
Thalassinos, by Strataridakis
A cosmopolitan variety of Chardonnay in a Mediterranean version. Cool, fruity and crisp.
Assyrtiko, by Lyrarakis
This type of grape is a perfect match to the warm, dry climate of Crete and this wine, being very delicate, is perfect as an accompaniment to fish and seafood.
Στην υγεία σας και καλές γιορτές!!
S.K.