This week the city of Rethymno earned a new distinction in being selected a “European City of Wine” by the wine union RECEVIN. The central Crete coastal city is the first city of Greece, and the only town outside of Italy, of Spain and Portugal to have received the distinction.
At the ceremony, the network executives presented Rethymno with the prize of “Dionysus”, which symbolizes the city’s responsibility to organize events and activities dedicated to wine. The Mayor of Rethymno, George Marinakis welcomed the executives and thanked the network for the honor. Marinakis went on to assure RECEVIN that Rethymno is willing to give the best in support and events in order to live up to the title.
The European Network of Cities of Wine, created in 2000, aims to strengthen those key areas where there are economic connections with winemaking and distribution. The members of the network constitute approximately 800 European cities or groups of cities which guarantee the quality of their wines. Among the fellowship of countries, Greece is represented by Nemea, Naoussa, the island of Rhodes, the town of Tyrnavos, the Spata and the town of Edipsos.
The RECEVIN provides a common platform for the exchange of experiences, contacts and cooperation. In particular, objectives of the network are:
- Representation of interests of the members of the european institutions
- The promotion of wine tourism
- Development activities, exchange of experience and conclusion of stable partnerships
- Dissemination of good practices
RECEVIN has the support of the National Wine Associations present in most of the 11 country members of the network (Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Serbia), that result in the strength of nearly 800 cities across Europe.
