A red winemaking variety is cultivated since many years almost exclusively in the prefecture of Chania, in an expanse of approximately 11,500.000 sq. m, i.e. 80-85% of the total area of the prefecture’s vineyards.

A polyclonal composition of unknown origin exists, with more than three clones and a difference mainly in the color of the grapes. Its grape is medium to large, with different sizes. This variety is also known by the word “loisima” – which means, dissimilar, different – and probably has to do with the disparity of the grapes. Very often there are green, red and black grapes in the same bunch. It is a very dynamic and very productive variety, which perhaps took the name Romeiko from the Greek word “romi” (strength) or the word “romios” as the Ottomans used to call the Greeks.

The local wine “Marouvas” comes from this variety with local winemaking at 90% of the production. “Marouvas” is a high-grade wine (13.5-14.5 vol) with a characteristic brick red color acquired after two years of storage in oak barrels. Tradition requires the barrels to be reused from year to year so that they contain wine dregs from previous years. Thus even barrels with 100 years old “Marouvas” wine can be found.