Price: $17.99
Sale Price: $14.97
* This item is for in store pickup only
Cretan wine! Greece’s largest island in the south of the Aegean Sea is home to some of Europe’s oldest civilization and vineyards. It also lies further south than the vast majority of the continent, with only the islands of Gavdos and the Canaries lying closer to the equator. Here we find the twins Pateromichelakis, cultivators of 20 hectares of olives and vines. Yiannis and Manos grow a range of grapes in their hometown of Kissamos on the far western edge of the island in the Chania region, but the house specialty is the native and ancient Romeiko variety. This pale red, late-ripening species is perfect for the hot island sun and used for a range of styles: red, white, and the local, sherry-like Marouvas wines. This iteration, red skins removed and set aside for the production of Tsikoudia (the regional spirit of choice), shows intriguing tones of bergamot, apricot, and persimmon with a touch of flaky pastry: exotic yet refreshing at once. Try it with pizza or spinach pie, fried or sauteed shrimp, or dolmas (stuffed grape leaves).
