In this case, the decision not to link the name to the Abruzzi region was clear right from the start. The name “Kudos” was selected in order to transmit the message that our best parcel of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Merlot are blended together to produce our pinnacle wine. We wanted a non-Italian name to clearly communicate that there was a non-traditional varietal in the blend.
The Greek-rooted name was chosen also emphasize the unquestionable influence by the Hellenic ancient culture in the development of the Western European wine culture. In fact, several history texts refer to the strong influence by the island of Crete on the Mediterranean civilization and fine wine production as far back as 2000 BC. Crete was located exactly half way between the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea. The island boasted a fertile valley cultivated with olive groves and vineyards and produced some of finest wines of the known world. Homer wrote in his Odyssey: “There is a land called Crete in the midst of the wine-dark sea, a fair land and a rich, begirt with water, and there in are many men innumerable, and ninety cities.”