Wines Unspecified Karavitakis Winery - Kompsos - 2024

From the sun-kissed island of Crete comes the 2024 Cuvée Kompsos, a red wine from the reputable Karavitakis Winery. Although precise details about the grape varieties aren’t stated, this blend likely reflects the modern Cretan style, marrying local indigenous grapes—perhaps Kotsifali or Mandilari—with international influences. Expect a medium-bodied profile, balancing fresh red fruit, Mediterranean herbs, and a touch of earthiness, shaped by a gentle vinification that showcases fruit purity and youthful vibrancy.

Crete is Greece’s southernmost and largest wine region, with viticulture tracing back over three millennia, making it one of the world’s oldest. The region benefits from a unique climate: arid summers, mild winters, and constant breezes from the Aegean Sea, all of which foster slow and even grape ripening. The diverse terrain, ranging from coastal plains to mountainous slopes with limestone, clay, and schist soils, imparts both freshness and minerality to Cretan wines. In recent decades, a new generation of producers like Karavitakis have revitalised the island’s reputation, aiming for balance between native tradition and modern finesse.

As for food pairings, this style of Cretan red is versatile. It will complement grilled lamb chops or a classic moussaka, highlighting the wine’s savoury undertones and ripe fruit. For a taste of the local fare, try it with “Antikristo”, the traditional Cretan slow-roasted lamb, or wild herb pies known as “hortopita”. The wine’s freshness will also lift tomato-based pasta dishes or hard sheep’s cheeses such as graviera.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this Cretan red at a cool room temperature, around 15-17°C. Open the bottle half an hour before serving to allow the aromas to open up, and enjoy within its youth to capture the vibrancy of the 2024 vintage.