Did Cretan Winemakers Scam Their Roman Customers?

Archaeology Magazine ^ | June 13, 2025 | editors / unattributed

[AndyJackson]

Not recommending anything, but here is one seller of Cretan sweet wines. https://www.mycretangoods.com/category/114350/Drinks/Sweet-Wines/

I have had some. It is a very deep rich flavor and almost syrupy in mouthfeel. Not especially to my taste, but it is certainly a good wine for those who like that kind of thing.

[carcraft]

Using raisins to make wine is a trick used in prisons

[SunkenCiv]

I’ve never visited, but that is a common conclusion. I first encountered it in Wunderlich’s “The Secret of Crete” which I found compelling.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6483103-the-secret-of-crete

https://www.thriftbooks.com/browse/?b.search=secret%20of%20crete

[SunkenCiv]

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[Red Badger]

Of course! They were CRETANS!...................

[Red Badger]

They were just playing passum.......................

[Joe 6-pack]

"A recent investigation by University College Dublin archaeologist Conor Trainor..."

Of course, watered down spirits are a matter of grave concern to the Irish.

[trebb]

Per one of my school teachers - many of them suffered brain damage because they stored wine in lead containers because it made the wine taste sweeter - and the lead made them “Caligula crazy”....

[SunkenCiv]

Yeah, that’s a myth.

[ChessExpert]

I had the same thought. However, the word Cretan is not the same as cretin. It is possible that some Cretans were cretins.

‘Epimenides of Gnossus, a seventh-century BC poet, prophet, and native Cretan characterized his own people as liars:
“Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.”’

That sounds like an exaggeration.

[Vigilanteman]

If they successfully pulled off the scam, would that make the Cretan winemakers NOT cretans?

[SunkenCiv]

Sounds like they were freakin’ geniuses! :^)

[SunkenCiv]

“Three Irishmen walk out of a pub.

Hey, it could happen.”

[GreenHornet]

This deception was eventually exposed by an ancient Greek bar rescue specialist named Jonus Taffercus - “YOU PEOPLE DIGUST ME! WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH THIS?”

[DeplorableTrumpSupporter]

Is the statue of limitation in effect for consumer fraud? If not, let’s sue them. 😀

[SunkenCiv]

The proprietor immediately fired the whole taff.

[SunkenCiv]

I’m thinkin’, reparations.

[trebb]

“Yeah, that’s a myth.”

Proof?

A quick search about the topic brought me this at a Wine Enthusiast site....

“The highly toxic element was, for millennia, included frequently in winemaking and storage. The metal was used as a sweetener and preservative, as well as for its ability to impart brilliant clarity to glassware. Its role in wine history dates to at least 2000 B.C., and even extends to today.”