The Secret Gorge – Restaurant & Wine Tasting Experience

Fully-sparkling dry white wine made from Romeiko is characterised on the nose by aromas of lemon blossom laced with discrete whiffs of brioche and toast and by a delicate palate of detectable yet fruity flavours and vibrant acidity. The red Romeiko grape is the oldest variety still cultivated in the prefecture of Chania. With few anthocyanins, high alcohol potential and low acidity, it is also put to good use in the production of ‘Marouvas’, a traditional Cretan wine that is reminiscent of Sherry.

Characterising for the rather perfumed Malagousia variety are scents of lemon bloom and even rose petal, and flavours of white stone fruit such as pear, green apple and fresh apricot as well as grapefruit and pineapple.

A varietal wine made from Thrapsathiri is typically fragrant of floral scents and fine citrus aromas such as lime and lemongrass. Usually it is richly fruited, full-flavoured in the mouth, harmoniously balanced with freshness and a persistent aftertaste.

Distinguishing Vidiano are aromas and flavours of rather tropical fruits such as apricot, quince, bergamot and citrus, possibly preceded by scents of botanics and faint floral aromas. It can leave a rich viscous mouthfeel with hints of sweet vanilla and butterscotch. The wine has nearly always an invigorating citrussy acidity on a well-rounded dry palate.

When dry, Assyrtiko is usually pleasantly taut and its hallmark is an unmatched purity and minerality with a persistent elegant aftertaste. The nose is typically a mixed bag of succulent citrus fruit flavours like lemon, lime, orange and riper yellow fruits, depending on the wine’s terroir.

As a single varietal, Kotsifali is typically a suave and potentially intensely aromatic wine with aromas and flavours of red summer fruit like sour cherry, strawberry, plum and even dried figs, fused with hints of wild herbs and sweet spices such as cinnamon and possibly tobacco when made in an ageworthy style.

When vinified as a dry red wine, Xinomavro tastes rich and complex with aromas of red and black fruits, accompanied by characteristic tomato and olive fragrances. With age, it develops flavours of plum, fig, tapenade and spice.

Moscato The Muscat grape is typically vinified into sweet dessert wine that is very perfumed of rose petals and orange blossom. When still young, it has a rather grape-like flavour which with age becomes more suggestive of peach, melon, apricot, marmalade and candied fruit.