Lyrarakis Liatiko PGI Crete 2022
Type: White
Country: Greece
Region: Crete
Grape Variety: 100% Liatiko
Viticulture: Organic Farming
Climate: Warm dry summers moderated by cool Aegean winds
Terroir: Vines grow on a soilbed of loam with a northern exposure at an altitude of between 580m to 850m above sea level
Ageing: The non-irrigated, well-acclimated Liatiko vines in Sitia and Rethymno provide high-quality low yields. The grapes were harvested during the whole harvest period, from 17/8 until 16/9. 86% of the grapes were macerated gently for 6 to 8 days at 20-22°C. 14% of the grapes were whole bunch fermented for 9 days at 25-29°C. 44% was fermented by indigenous yeasts. The wine remained in inox tanks where it completed the malolactic fermentation and had a natural stabilization (no Bning, no cold treatment)
Color: Light ruby red
Nose: Impressive aromas of wild berries and red fruit, with hints of herbal and butterscotch flavours
Palate: Balanced and juicy on the palate with fine tannins and an expressive fruity aftertaste
About the Winery:
The Lyrarakis estate is a family vineyard and winery which has been producing high-quality wines since 1966.
Lyrarakis has devoted itself to the revival of indigenous, almost extinct, rare varieties such as Dafni, Plyto, Melissaki and others, vinifying wines that highlight their unique and distinctive character.
Lyrarakis is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni (440 metres above sea level), south of the city of Heraklion, in Crete. The soils are predominantly loam with either more sand or clay depending on the vineyard site. The well-preserved 14th-century stone-presses in the fields around the winery are proof of the area’s long history of grape-growing and winemaking.
In charge of winemaking, is Myriam Ambuzer who has been vital in securing Lyrarakis a place in the elite wineries of Greece. Her philosophy emphasises precision, purity and the supple texture of the fruit. She argues it is all about expressing authenticity and achieving harmony and that every variety needs to be worked in its own special way.
