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Romeiko

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Romeiko (Greek: Ρωμαίικο or Ρωμέικο) is a red grape variety indigenous to Greece.[1] Its name derives from the term Romios that is used to refer to modern Greeks (literally Roman as a citizen of the former Byzantine Empire).

Romeiko is an indigenous grape found on many Cycladic islands and Crete, prominently in the region of Chania and in particular Kissamos where it thrives.[2][3] Romeiko vineyards are late maturing and high-yielding, producing high-Baumé must that is mixed with other varieties to give red, rosé and white wines. The pomace is distilled to produce Tsikoudia.

Kissamos, a red wine with 13% alcohol content, and Clos de Creta, a white wine, are both made from Romeiko grapes.[4] Romeiko is often used to make the traditional marouvas wine, similar to a sherry.[2][5]

DNA analysis has shown that the similarly named Marvoromaiko is actually an unrelated variety.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Romeiko, Vitis International Variety Catalogue, accessed 2013-06-4.
  2. ^ a b Lazarakis, Konstantinos (2018-01-22). The wines of Greece. Infinite Ideas. ISBN 9781910902691.
  3. ^ Robinson, Jancis (1986). Vines, Grapes and Wine. Knopf. ISBN 9780394555980. Romeiko.
  4. ^ Mikula, Robin (2009-03-02). Top 10 Crete. Penguin. ISBN 9780756650100.
  5. ^ "Indigenous Grapes Make Crete's Wines Distinctly Delicious | Wine Enthusiast Magazine". Wine Enthusiast Magazine. 2018-01-04. Retrieved 2018-11-10.
  6. ^ Boutaris, Mihalis (2000). Greek Wine Grape Varieties: A Microsatellite DNA Marker Analysis. University of California, Davis.