M. Wine making in Kato Zakros
THE ART OF WINE MAKING IN CRETE
From the time of the Homer ,wine making played a very important role in the life of the Greek people.It is thought that they drank wine with every meal,but deluted the swee,almost syrupy liquid with water.There is abundant evidence of wine being used in ceremonial functios. During the Venetian occupation of Crete ,wine was produced on the island by the malvasia grape, which was considered as the best in the world.It was the official wine of the Vatican and was consumed by the Venetian royalty. With the conquest of Crete by the Ottoman Empire in 1639 ,virtually all viticulture on the island as well as in the rest of Greece ,ceased to exist.Alcohol consumption was considered anti religious by the Moslems.All vineyards were destroyed.Heavy penalties,including death were imposed on those who planted vines in violation of the Ottoman rule.Conditions remained thus for nearly 250 years,The art of wone making in Greece was totally forgotten and had to be learned from the beginning.
The planting of grapevines and wine making started again early this century following the Ottomans’ departure. However ,Greece was unable to produce wines,due to the lack of education and expertise in wine making combined with the lack of capital investment for equipment and technological advances. Grapes were grown in small parcels of land and sold to local wine cooperatives,which was obligated to purchase their members’ grapes regardless of quality or consistency.In fact,quality standards for vineyard management did not exist.The only objective of grape farmers was to maximize the crop yield. Not until fifteen or twenty years ago ,a small number of young ,educated wine enthusiasts were engaged in proper viticulture and wine making.Fortunately,this move represents the current trend in Greek wine industry.Although,most of the wine production in Greece is still produced by cooperatives ,the movement is overwhelming toward small,family-owned and operated vineyards and butique wineries characterized by the love of the land ,passion for quality,and abundance of professionalism.