First holiday of 2019 was booked fairly last minute….. not really like me! I’m pretty organised when it comes to using my holidays at work. I don’t really like taking them and spending the time at home, I like to travel.
So, as it was the last week in May and wanted to guarantee some sun, we decided to choose Crete!
Now I love Greece, Nearly as much as Italy… Whats not to like? Sun, sea and really good food. Love me some courgette balls followed by some lamb Kleftiko… but on previous occasions I hadn’t taken much notice of the wine with the exception of a few nice bottles whilst on honeymoon in Mykonos. This was all about to change.
We booked an apartment. Seascape Luxury Residences, which is located in the center of Agia Pelagia. The accommodation was amazing and so were the staff. The apartments were very new and I can’t recommend them enough.
Seascape Luxury Residences- Amazing right!?
To my surprise and delight SeaScape has constructed their own wine list! Which had been carefully put together by the owner.
Sad I know, but this made me pretty excited. I think I was more interested in the list than the apartment… The wine list along with all the restaurants running up the beach in Agia Pelagia would enable me to sample and learn more about Cretan wine.
Right first up
Wine number 1: Plytó Psarades.
It’s a dry white wine made from 100% Plyto grape… Plyto???? I bet you’re thinking, and I was doing the same believe me. Never heard of this so instantly I was intrigued. I love an unusual grape variety and always go for them if I spot something.
The manager of SeaScape who put the list together told me that the Plytó grape variety had been saved from extinction!!
The wine was light and crisp with plenty of acidity. Very very drinkable, ideal for the Greek sun. A great start to the holiday.
Wine number 2: Vilana
Lyrarakis 100% Vilana
Another dry white dry wine, from the same winery, Lyrarakis. This time made from a different grape but no less strange to me than the first. A grape called Vilana which is another variety which is native to Crete.
I got lemon and citrus flavours from this one with floral aromas. Another hit with me.
Wine number 3: Aspros Lagos
Aspros Lagó͘s apparently means White Hare… makes sense with the label then!
A different wine marker this time (mixing it up)….. Douloufakis. Again another Cretan grape variety, Vidiano.
I quite liked the label of this one and the contents lived up to it. More golden in appearance than the other two, medium acidity with hints of vanilla.
Wine number 4: Kariki – Alexakis
Kariki = row of vines
Not from the apartments this time, I decided to pick up a few bottles from the supermarket. The first thing I do when I visit a supermarket abroad is check out the local wine selection, its one of my favourite things (Sad I know).
Kariki was a blend of Assyrtiko and Athiri. It was pale and light bodied, drinkable but for me it didn’t have as much fruit flavours as the bottles above. Still nice though.
Wine number 5: Diamantakis Vidiano
100% Vidiano Grape Variety
Not much to say on this one, I found it just ‘ok’. Golden colout, hints of vanilla maybe I got a bit of grapefruit.
Wine number 6: Menexes – Kipriotakis
Made from the Malvzia di Aromatica and Vilana grapes
Bought this one from a restaurant on the beach front called Zorbas Taverna. The waiter applauded my choice! He said it was his favorite and he had good reason to think this. It was another refreshing, dry, aromatic Cretan white wine.
All the other wines I sampled were house wines, both white and red. I think the whites tend to be better when ordering the house vino. Its so cheap too! Normally around €6 for a carafe!! Amazing for half a liter really.
House Red with a view!
I was impressed with wines of Crete. I will definitely keep and eye out for them from now on and I think you should too. This trip has really opened my eyes to Greek wine, which seemed to have a bad reputation from my friends and family.
I might have to organise a return to Crete. I will have to squeeze in one or two vineyard tours and tastings…..
p.s. If you visit Crete you will undoubtedly try Raki….. The Cretan distilled spirit is made from grape skins, pulp and stems. It’s complimentary after every meal!
It’s strong stuff and the waiters informed me, “be happy, drink Raki!”.
About the Grape 