Starting the first week of November, tsikoudia, a local spirit also known as raki, is the subject of yet another great Cretan festival in Voukolies, west Crete.

Tsikoudia or raki is a local Cretan strong distilled spirit with approximately 37% alcohol per volume (it’s similar to Scotch whiskey or gin), it’s produced from must-residue of the wine press. After the grape harvest, when the vines have been pruned, the remaining crushed grape skins comprising seeds, pulp and stems are distilled to produce Tsikoudia. The entire process is a family and friends celebration, where everyone brings food to share while sampling the drink as it is being made...

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