Wine Grapes of Crete with Chrisa Giorgi
This show was published Friday, June 23, 2023
- Wine Grapes of Crete with Chrisa Giorgi
Overview
Grape growing has a deep history in Crete, dating back to 3000 years BC at the time of the Minoan civilisation, with archaeological evidence indicating grapes were cultivated at that time. Fast forward to the 12th century when wine explorers were travelling the world and documenting grapes through written notes and the exchange of plantings. Winemaking continued through the Venetian and Ottoman occupations but faltered after 1913, when Crete became part of Greece and Phylloxera hit the vineyards and production suffered during two world wars.
At the university of oenology in Athens they are researching the origins of grape varieties through DNA analysis and according to Chrisa there are 10 key local grape varieties in Crete. These are:
White: Vidiano, Vilana (top white), Dafni (means Bayleaf/Laurel), Plyto, Thrapsathiri, Muscat of Spina.
Reds: Mantilari, Kotsifali, Liatiko and Romeiko.
If you are travelling to Crete, Chrisa advises you hire a car and travel to the inland area of Heraklion, where there are a large number of wineries to visit. You can also explore Knossos (famous archaeological site) and then travel to the east of Crete and visit the Faneromeni monastery in the PDO region of Sitia. After that head west for the sea and the sand, along with a spot of wine tasting. You'll find wineries across the whole of the island!
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Music
The music used for the UK Wine Show is Griffes de Jingle 1 by Marcel de la Jartèle and Silence by Etoile Noire.
