Crete
Crete is one of the world’s oldest winemaking regions, with a tradition dating back to the resident Minoan civilization in the Bronze Age (2500 BC-800 BC). Cretan wine (mainly sweet) was popular with ancient Romans and highly valued throughout the medieval era through the 17th century.
In more recent times, the island suffered setbacks when Phylloxera struck in the 1970s—destroying most of its historic vineyards—and in the 1980s, when a law supported extensive new plantings of the white grape Vilana almost exclusively, deterring exploration of more promising varieties like Vidiano, now Crete’s flagship white.
The future is bright. Along with Vidiano, Crete’s spicy red Kotsifali is showing success among international critics and wine drinkers, especially when blended with international varieties such as Syrah and Merlot. A new wave of well-traveled young winemakers are bringing innovation and change to the island, resulting in more terroir-driven and competitive wines from all of the island’s 6 PDO districts (PDO Sitia, PDO Malvasia Sitia–Lasithi, PDO Peza–Heraklion, PDO Archanes–Heraklion, PDO Dafnes–Heraklion PDO Handakas-Candia & Malvasia Handakas-Candia–Heraklion).
Scroll down to see our Crete wine reviews and ratings.
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Alexakis 2020 Assyrtiko (Crete)
GreeceTextured and glossy, this Crete bottling has bright, balanced notes of citrus ...See Full Review$19 -
Lyrarakis 2018 Aggelis Liatiko (Crete)
GreeceLayered aromas of blackberry, cherry, lavender and anise are followed by flavors ...See Full Review$24 -
Lyrarakis 2019 Kedros Rosé (Crete)
GreeceThe wine starts with elegant aromas of black cherry and vanilla, followed ...See Full Review$20 -
Alexakis 2019 Assyrtiko (Crete)
GreeceCitrus and mineral aromas are followed by savory, saline smoke and tropical ...See Full Review$17 -
Alexakis 2018 Assyrtiko (Crete)
GreeceThe bouquet on this elegant Assyrtiko is packed with passion fruit, lemon ...See Full Review$16 -
Karavitakis 2017 The Little Prince Unoaked Red (Crete)
GreeceWith a little chill on this Cretan blend of indigenous Kotsifali and ...See Full Review$17 -
Idaia 2014 Idaia Gi Red (Crete)
GreeceThis exotic but refined Kotsifali-Mandilari blend from Crete starts with aromas of ...See Full Review$20 -
MRS. 2017 Red (Crete)
GreeceThis easy-drinking red starts with aromas of cherry, violet and crushed grass, ...See Full Review$18 -
Alexakis 2015 Red (Crete)
GreeceThis wine from Crete starts with aromas of cedar and dark chocolate, ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$16 -
Lyrarakis 2017 Ippodromos Vineyard Vidiano (Crete)
GreeceDelicate aromas of stone fruit and citrus start this superior white from ...See Full Review$20 -
Douloufakis 2017 Dafnios Liatiko (Crete)
GreeceAromas of red currants, dark chocolate and black cherry start this delicious ...See Full Review$16 -
Lyrarakis 2017 White (Crete)
GreeceOpulent kiwi and passionfruit aromas roll into mouthwatering flavors of citrus and ...Best BuySee Full Review$15 -
Lyrarakis 2017 Armi Thrapsathiri (Crete)
GreeceThis rare variety starts with aromas of rich lemon tart, toasted nut ...See Full Review$21 -
Kourtaki NV Vin de Crete Vilana (Crete)
GreeceAromas of plum, black cherry and dried fruit lead into a vibrant ...Best BuySee Full Review$12 -
Lyrarakis 2016 Kotsifali (Crete)
GreeceWarming spices, kirsch and mocha on the nose of this elegant red ...See Full Review$16 -
Lyrarakis 2017 Vilana (Crete)
GreeceThis wine offers floral and lemon aromas, followed by a full-bodied but ...See Full Review$16 -
Douloufakis 2018 Dafnios Vidiano (Crete)
GreeceTropical fruit and apricot aromas and a palate of creamy tropical fruit ...See Full Review$17 -
Lyrarakis 2017 Psarades Vineyards Plyto (Crete)
GreeceZippy citrus and tropical fruit aromas start this robust white made from ...See Full Review$21 -
Lyrarakis 2015 Aggelis Liatiko (Crete)
GreeceCedar, tomato and olive aromas give this wine a plucky start. On ...See Full Review$24 -
Boutari 2015 Kretikos Red (Crete)
GreeceThis wine offers blueberry and red fruit aromas and plum, cherry and ...See Full Review$14
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