Nestled in the charming Oinoxoos House, a wine tasting experience in Rethymno promises to transport visitors on a delectable journey through Crete’s rich winemaking heritage. Guests can savor 11 distinct wines, each perfectly paired with traditional local delicacies like Dakos and Kalitsounakia. The experience doesn’t stop there, as participants can test their sensory skills in blind tasting competitions, elevating their appreciation for the nuances of each vintage. With a welcoming atmosphere and a perfect rating, this is a must-visit for any wine enthusiast seeking an authentic taste of Cretan flavors. What more could one ask for?
Key Points
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Oinoxoos House in Rethymno offers an immersive wine tasting experience featuring 11 local Cretan wines paired with traditional Cretan specialties.
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The experience includes a blind wine tasting competition, allowing guests to enhance their sensory skills and appreciation for wine nuances.
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The venue is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly, catering to a wide range of visitors for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
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With a 95% traveler recommendation rate and a Badge of Excellence, the wine tasting experience at Oinoxoos House is highly acclaimed by enthusiastic travelers.
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Operating from Monday to Friday, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, the wine tasting experience offers a maximum group size of 20 travelers for an intimate setting.
Overview of the Experience
In Rethymno, Crete, wine enthusiasts can enjoy a delightful wine tasting experience at Oinoxoos House.
The tasting features a variety of local wines, with 11 different wines offered in 2.5-ounce pours. Participants can also savor local specialties like cheese pies and smoked pork while engaging in a fun blind wine tasting competition.
The experience is highly recommended, with 95% of travelers praising it and a Badge of Excellence to its name.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply curious about Cretan vintages, this tasting offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s rich wine heritage.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Crete.
Exploring the Sample Menu
Alongside the enticing wine selection, Oinoxoos House offers an array of local Cretan specialties to pair with the tasting.
Guests can savor aged cheeses with sun-dried tomato and feta, or indulge in the traditional Dakos – a rusk topped with crushed tomato, feta, olives, and olive oil.
For a heartier dish, the Dolmadakia, or stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs, are served with a creamy yogurt sauce.
The menu also features the smoked Apaki chicken, the fried Tigania pork, and the irresistible Kalitsounakia – traditional Cretan cheese pies drizzled with thyme honey.
Inclusions and Amenities
The wine tasting experience at Oinoxoos House includes an assortment of alcoholic beverages, along with a selection of snacks and bottled water.
Participants can savor 11 different wines served in 2.5-ounce pours, allowing them to explore the diverse flavors of the region.
To complement the wines, the tasting offers a variety of local specialties, such as Cretan aged cheeses, traditional Cretan cheese pies, and smoked pork.
The inclusive nature of the experience ensures that guests can fully enjoy the flavors of Crete without having to worry about additional costs for food and drinks.
Meeting Point and Hours
According to the information provided, the wine tasting experience takes place at Oinoxoos House, which is located at the 3rd km of the National Road Rethymnon-Chania in Rethimno, Greece 741 50.
The activity is offered Monday through Friday from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. The wine tasting concludes back at the meeting point.
This experience can accommodate a maximum of 20 travelers per group and is accessible to wheelchair users and those with strollers.
It’s also conveniently situated near public transportation.
Participants can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the start of the activity.
Accessibility and Additional Details
The wine tasting experience is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly.
Service animals are allowed, making it inclusive for all travelers.
It’s conveniently located near public transportation, so getting to the venue is easy.
The group size is limited to 20 people, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience.
Guests can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the event, providing flexibility in their travel plans.
With these accessibility features and additional details, the wine tasting in Rethymno caters to a wide range of visitors, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable outing for everyone.
Ratings and Reviews
Enthusiastic traveler reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating showcase the wine tasting experience’s outstanding reputation. The 21 verified reviews through Viator and Tripadvisor unanimously praise the event, with travelers highlighting the delightful selection of local wines, delectable Cretan specialties, and the engaging blind tasting competition.
Guests rave about the knowledgeable staff, who guide them through the tasting and provide insightful information about the region’s winemaking traditions. The experience’s Badge of Excellence further underscores its quality, as 95% of travelers enthusiastically recommend it.
With its convenient location, wheelchair accessibility, and free cancellation policy, the wine tasting in Rethymno offers an exceptional opportunity to take in Crete’s vibrant wine culture.
Blind Wine Tasting Competition
A highlight of the wine tasting experience is the engaging blind tasting competition. Participants don the provided blindfolds, then sample the 11 wines and try to identify each variety.
The competition adds an element of fun, as guests compete to see who can accurately guess the most wines. The winner receives a special bottle of wine as a prize.
The blind tasting allows participants to focus solely on the wine’s flavors, aromas, and textures, without being influenced by visual cues. This interactive activity encourages guests to hone their sensory skills and appreciate the nuances of Crete’s diverse grape varieties.
The blind tasting competition includes:
- Donning blindfolds
- Sampling 11 different wines
- Identifying grape varieties
- Winner receives a bottle of wine
Highlights of Local Specialties
Alongside the wine tasting, Oinoxoos House presents an opportunity to savor a selection of Cretan local specialties. Theres some good sun-dried tomato and feta cheese pies, rusk with crushed organic tomato, white feta, olives, and olive oil, and stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs, served with a cool yogurt sauce. The smoked chicken fillet with wild mushrooms and sweet wine, as well as the pork fried in olive oil with wild herbs and French fries, offer heartier fare. To finish, traditional Cretan cheese pies with herbs and thyme honey provide a sweet conclusion to the culinary journey.
Dish | Description |
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Dakos | Rusk with crushed organic tomato, white feta, olives, and olive oil |
Dolmadakia | Stuffed grape leaves with rice and herbs, served with yogurt sauce |
Apaki | Smoked chicken fillet with wild mushrooms and sweet wine |
Kalitsounakia | Traditional Cretan cheese pies with herbs and thyme honey |
Since You Asked
What Are the Types of Grapes Used in the Wines?
The wines featured a variety of local Cretan grape varieties, though the specific types are not mentioned. The experience allows visitors to sample and enjoy the unique flavors of the region’s viticulture.
Is the Wine Tasting Tour Offered in Multiple Languages?
The wine tasting tour is offered in multiple languages. According to the overview, participants can enjoy the experience and engage in the blind wine tasting competition regardless of their native language.
Can Visitors Purchase Bottles of Wine at the Event?
Yes, visitors can purchase bottles of wine at the event. The overview states that the winner of the blind wine tasting competition receives a bottle of wine, implying that additional bottles are available for purchase.
Are There Any Non-Alcoholic Beverage Options Available?
The experience offers bottled water as a non-alcoholic beverage option. Visitors can enjoy the wine tasting and local specialties without having to consume alcohol, making it an accessible experience for all.
Can Visitors Take Breaks During the Wine Tasting Experience?
Visitors can take breaks during the wine tasting experience as needed. The event lasts 2.5 hours, allowing ample time to pace oneself and enjoy the local specialties served alongside the wine tastings.
The Sum Up
The wine tasting experience in Rethymno offers an exceptional opportunity to explore Cretan wine heritage and local cuisine. Nestled in the charming Oinoxoos House, participants can savor 11 distinct wines paired with traditional specialties, including blind tasting competitions that enhance their sensory skills. With a perfect rating and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for wine enthusiasts seeking authentic flavors.
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