Wine networks in the
Roman era
The conquest of Crete by the Romans in 69 BC was the start of a long period of peace, prosperity, and growth. The population of the island remained purely Greek, retaining their culture and the Greek language, as no Latinization was attempted.
Crete acquired strategic importance, as it was located on the Rome – Alexandria main commercial axis that Roman ships used. The Cretans used this advantage by turning viticulture into their main occupation and source of income. Cretan wine (sweet) was of high quality and travelled throughout the Mediterranean.
Flourishing wine production and sea trade is documented by the large number of amphorae workshops found at several coastal locations, as well as the dispersion of Cretan amphorae from the period in many areas of the Mediterranean.
Wine networks in the
Middle Ages
During the Cretan-Venetian period (13th-17th century) Cretan wine reached many regions of Europe.
Unlike the dry, light wines of Gascogne and Germany, Mediterranean wines were sweeter, with a higher alcohol content.
This made them more resilient to travel and therefore more valuable.
The most famous were the so-called malvoisie or malmsey (malvasia wines) and romney or rumney wines, which seem to have been mainly exported from Crete in the late 13th century.
Wine networks
Today
For Cretans, wine is interwoven with their history and traditions; it accompanies joy, sorrow, celebrations, and festivals. Wine festivals take place in many wine-producing parts of the island. The most famous Wine Festival in the Municipality of Heraklion has been held every year in Dafnes for more than 45 years.
The most important trade fair for the Cretan Vineyard is ‘OiNotika’, which takes place every year in Heraklion, Chania, Athens, and Cyprus. The participation of Cretan wine in the Oenorama exhibition, which takes place every year in Athens and is considered the most important exhibition for wine production units in Greece, has been crucial for its development.
Through the Wines of Crete network, Cretan wine travels to every corner of the world; to exhibitions such as ProWein (Düsseldorf , Germany) and London Wine Fair (London, UK).
Σχεδιασμός – Ανάπτυξη Aegean Solutions
Wine networks in the
Roman era
The conquest of Crete by the Romans in 69 BC was the start of a long period of peace, prosperity, and growth. The population of the island remained purely Greek, retaining their culture and the Greek language, as no Latinization was attempted.
Crete acquired strategic importance, as it was located on the Rome – Alexandria main commercial axis that Roman ships used. The Cretans used this advantage by turning viticulture into their main occupation and source of income. Cretan wine (sweet) was of high quality and travelled throughout the Mediterranean.
Flourishing wine production and sea trade is documented by the large number of amphorae workshops found at several coastal locations, as well as the dispersion of Cretan amphorae from the period in many areas of the Mediterranean.
Wine networks in the
Middle Ages
During the Cretan-Venetian period (13th-17th century) Cretan wine reached many regions of Europe.
Unlike the dry, light wines of Gascogne and Germany, Mediterranean wines were sweeter, with a higher alcohol content.
This made them more resilient to travel and therefore more valuable.
The most famous were the so-called malvoisie or malmsey (malvasia wines) and romney or rumney wines, which seem to have been mainly exported from Crete in the late 13th century.
Wine networks
Today
For Cretans, wine is interwoven with their history and traditions; it accompanies joy, sorrow, celebrations, and festivals. Wine festivals take place in many wine-producing parts of the island. The most famous Wine Festival in the Municipality of Heraklion has been held every year in Dafnes for more than 45 years.
The most important trade fair for the Cretan Vineyard is ‘OiNotika’, which takes place every year in Heraklion, Chania, Athens, and Cyprus. The participation of Cretan wine in the Oenorama exhibition, which takes place every year in Athens and is considered the most important exhibition for wine production units in Greece, has been crucial for its development.
Through the Wines of Crete network, Cretan wine travels to every corner of the world; to exhibitions such as ProWein (Düsseldorf , Germany) and London Wine Fair (London, UK).