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Unraveling Vidiano Wine: Crete’s Best White Grape

Vidiano is a native white grape to the island of Crete. It is gaining popularity as expressions of Vidiano wine are becoming exponentially better as the vintages click on. Vidiano wine is often called the sweetheart grape of Crete or Crete’s diva grape. When you try it for the first time, you’ll understand. Vidiano does well fermented in stainless steel for crisp bright styles or light oak treatment for a white wine with guts. Vidiano pairs well with many different types of food, too. Whether you’re sipping Vidiano wine while visiting Crete, or enjoying a glass at home, you’ll soon understand why it’s Crete’s best white wine.

sunset over vidiano vineyard
Photo credit: Iliana Malihin

Origin Story of Vidiano Wine

Vidiano is one of 11 grape varieties native to the island of Crete. Crete is one of the oldest wine regions of the world. It’s also where I live. Vidiano likely originated in the Amari region of the prefecture of Rethymno, in the center of Crete. Vidiano dates back to the 13th century when Crete was occupied by the Venetians, probably even further back than that. It was one of the main grapes used in the famous sweet Malavasia wine that the Venetians exported by the boatload. Then it all but disappeared.

Vidiano doesn’t yield as much as other white grapes on the island, meaning you get less tonnage of grapes per vineyard. Less grapes equals less wine. The Cretan wine industry focused predominantly on bulk wine so fewer and fewer vineyards of Vidiano existed as time went on. However, smart farmers kept a row or two of Vidiano in the back of their vineyards for blending into their own wines. The Cretan farmers loved Vidiano wine for the stone fruit aromas and creamy mouthfeel. Thankfully, that’s how Vidiano didn’t go completely extinct. It reemerged about 30 years ago. The new generation of Cretan wine makers were encouraged by its potential. They began revitalizing old vineyards and planting new vineyards of Vidiano throughout the island. With plenty of trial and error, over the last decade the quality has really exploded.

Vineyard of Vidiano
Old vines of Vidiano. Photo Credit: Iliana Malihin

Best Regions for Vidiano

As the Cretan wine industry continues to grow and improve, vineyards of Vidiano are increasing throughout the island. Vidiano is the white grape winemakers are pushing forward into the spotlight to represent Crete on the world scale. There are currently no geographic areas that are specified for Vidiano. Winemakers may source it from all different areas of Crete. An emerging region is Amari, Vidiano’s birthplace, that has some very old vines of Vidiano. It may see a designation if there are any legislative changes. Crete is a very mountainous island with a warm Mediterranean climate. Vidiano does best at a higher altitude to lock in it’s bright acidity.

vidiano grapes in the vineyard
Vidiano grapes in the vineyard. Photo credit: Iliana Malihin

Eyes- What do Vidiano grapes look like?

Vidano ripens in the middle of harvest, from early to mid September. It is a relatively difficult grape to grow with many sensitivities and low yields. Vidiano grape bunches are large with normally-clustered yellow-green medium-sized berries. In the glass, Vidiano is a medium straw color with green highlights. When Vidiano is aged in oak, it takes on a deeper yellow color with gold flecks.

Nose- What does Vidiano smell like?

Vidiano wine has aromas of medium to medium plus intensity. Vidiano smells like lemon, peach, cantaloupe, and spring flowers. Oaked versions of Vidiano smell like candied peaches and lemon meringue pie.

Mouth- What does Vidiano taste like?

Vidiano tastes like peaches, tart apricots, and lemons. Vidiano has medium to medium high acidity with bright citrus and stone-fruit flavors. What sets Vidiano apart is the creamy mouthfeel and great texture. Vidiano is medium bodied with a silky and velvety texture. Quality expressions of Vidiano will have a surprisingly long finish that usually ends with nectarines and lemon zest.

scallops on a white plate
Food Pairing with Vidiano

Vidiano Food Pairing: What food pairs with Vidiano?

Vidiano is an excellent food wine because it doesn’t shout in any direction. What do I mean by that? Vidiano won’t overpower any delicate foods but its flavors aren’t diminished by strong flavors in food either. It really shines with vegetables like zucchini, okra, and artichokes. Young Vidiano pairs with fried zucchini flowers, Cretan boureki, and wild greens. Fattier fish like salmon and halibut are a nice complement with Vidiano because it has both acid and body. Of course, Vidiano wine pairs with grilled chicken, turkey, and pork. I need to get my hands on some bay scallops because I have a feeling it’ll be a divine match. Oaked Vidiano is a great match with buttery or creamy dishes like lobster with drawn butter, fettuccini alfredo, and korma sauce. Read more about food and wine pairing here.

Serving tips and glassware

Vidiano should be served chilled in a universal white wine glass. Vidiano is one of few white wines that ages very well, 3-5 years. I often recommend seeking Vidiano that’s already at least 2 years old. Old-vine Vidiano can age up to 10 years. As Vidiano ages it takes on a more earthy and complex minerality. The fruit flavors are still present but they are perceived as ripe fruit instead of bright crisp fruit.

Is Vidiano dry or sweet?

Vidiano is a dry white wine from the island of Crete in Greece.

How do you pronounce Vidiano?

Vidiano is pronounced Vee-thee-ano. It is a hard th sound like in there.

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