A few decades after the birth of Christ Cretan wine captivates Rome. Winegrowing and winemaking were developing by leaps and bounds on the island -already a part of the Roman Empire- and Cretan wine was introduced to Rome around 67 BC. Crete was on the sea route between Rome, Egypt, and the East. A new, golden era began for the island, which exported its wines throughout the Mediterranean and Europe (Italy, France, Switzerland, etc). The crafting of amphorae on Crete also flourished.