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Liatiko
Red grape variety from Crete, Greece

A unique variety, that dates back to the 3rd and 2nd century BC. As it has perfectly adapted to the warm climate of Crete, Liatiko manages to create delicate wines, full of finesse that can accompany every meal. This unique variety gives each wine an exquisite bouquet of aromas, with fresh red fruits dominating.

Grape variety Liatiko from Crete, Greece

Contract from Venetian era: Bartering a Logado vineyard for a Liatiko vineyard

The history of the grape variety
Liatiko

The name «Liatiko», derives from the month of July, as it is the first variety whose berries change colour in July.
It is probably the oldest indigenous red variety of the Cretan Vineyard. The cultivation of the Liatiko variety dates back to the 3rd or 2nd century BC, according to the dating of grape remnants found in wine presses at the "Melissa" site, within the Dafnes zone.
Liatiko wine is mentioned in many historical texts of the 13th century and it was blended with other local varieties for the production of the once famous Cretan Malvasia wine. There are also references to the Liatiko variety in archival sources of the Venetian occupation, in the 17th century. Vineyards’ purchase and selling were frequent in Crete at that time, as the cultivation of Liatiko was a lucrative occupation. Therefore, Liatiko appears in many contracts of the time, specifically we mention a contract of the notary Nicolo Negri on June 24, 1609, where two inhabitants of two nearby villages, Venerato and Kerasia barter a Logado vineyard for a Liatiko vineyard.

Liatiko is often incorrectly referred to as identical to "Aleatico" variety, a very old Italian variety. Recent research based on comparative viticulture and DNA analysis has shown that these are two different varieties, as the book "Wine Grapes" by J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz, Penguin Books, 2012 indicates.

VINEYARD CULTIVATION
LIATIKO GRAPE VARIETY

The total cultivation of the variety on the island is about 4000 stremmas of vineyards. It is mostly cultivated in Heraklion and Lasithi.

Liatiko favours clay calcareous soils of moderate fertility.
In Dafnes area the soil has medium texture and it is characterized as clay loam. It is rich in calcium carbonate in a percentage that exceeds 40%. The presence of calcium carbonate that neutralizes the acidity of the soil, in connection with the pH that ranges from 7 to 8.5, is ideal for the absorption of most trace elements by the plant. Calcium carbonate also improves soil structure, ensuring good drainage and good soil temperature. These soil characteristics contribute to the good phenolic and technological ripening of the grapes and therefore to the production of wines with rich structure and volume, intensity in colour and balanced acidity.

Liatiko is resistant to drought and hot weather conditions.
The vineyards in Dafnes area are located northeast of Psiloritis Mountain, which is the highest of the island, with an altitude 2456m.
The relief of the wider area is formed by rolling hills, almost parallel to each other, extending from the northern part of the prefecture to the south at an altitude of 300-500m. The vineyards are planted on the slopes of these hills, east or west oriented.
The elongated valleys that are formed between the hills serve as natural canals, transferring the conducive chilled breeze from Cretan Sea to the center of the prefecture, maintaining the temperature at the slopes at very good levels, all around summer. Rainfall is rare during the summer, so plants and grapes avoid virus infections.
The cultivation of Liatiko vineyards in the area for so many centuries -from the time of Venetian rule (13^th to the 17^th century) up to now- is due to this unique microclimate described above.

When - rarely - it rains in the summer in Crete, the variety becomes moderately resistant to moisture from the summer rains. It is also moderately resistant to downy mildew, susceptible to mildew and edema and very susceptible to infectious degeneration, botrytis and erythema. Anthorroia and unequal shaped grapes occur only if low temperatures prevail during fruit set.

CULTIVATION OF CRETAN GREEK LIATIKO GRAPE VARIETY

Liatiko is pruned as single or double cordon (Royat vine-training system). Each vine has 6-7 spurs raising up from the cordon. Each spur bears 2 buds. This way we control the production both in quality and quantity.

The Liatiko cultivar is vigorous and produces normal yields.
The weight of the grape is medium and the weight of the berry is small. The sugar level is high, while the level of acidity is satisfactory.
The great advantage of Liatiko in Dafnes is that it matures properly, because of the beneficial microclimate. The variety has been fully acclimatized, as it has been cultivated in the area for centuries.

The vineyards of Liatiko cultivar are planted at a density of about 350-400 plants per stremma and are cultivated in linear shapes, at distances of 1.10 m. x 2.5m.

THE VINE DESCRIPTION
OF THE LIATIKO VARIETY

Shoot tip: of yellow-green colour with rose margin, open and felty.
Young leaf: of yellow-green colour with bronze-red areas, cobwebby on upper side and felty on lower side.

Shape-Size: medium size, 5-sinus, pentagonal to wedge-shaped.
Leaf blade: medium thick, slightly bullate and crimped, cobwebby upper side and felty lower side.
Petiolar sinus: deep, closed with slightly overlapping lobes and V-shaped base.
Veins: sleek, locally cobwebby upper side, green and downey lower side.
Serrations: small, unequal, pointed, both sides straight.
Petiole: medium, thick, cobwebby, almost equal to the length of the middle vein.

It has conical or cylindrical shape, medium size, medium to long length, with a medium density and many berries. The peduncle of the grape has a medium height and is moderately woody.

The berries of the Liatiko variety are of small to medium size, with a globose shape. The skin of the berry is thin, uniform and has a red to red-violet color. The flesh of the berry is very sweet. The length of the pedicel of the berry is short, while it is easy to detach from the berry.

There are two to three seeds per berry, medium, with a short and thin beak.

The canes are slightly ribbed in circular cross section and they have yellow-brown to brown-red colour with freckles.
The vine description was based on "The Cretan Grapes", a book by Manolis and Maritina Stavrakaki.

THE VINE DESCRIPTION OF THE LIATIKO VARIETY

Vine sprouting in Spring at Liatiko vineyards

PHENOLOGICAL DATA
OF LIATIKO VARIETY

The soil and the climatic conditions that prevail in each region have a decisive effect on phenols in wines. In Dafnes we have observed in general the following:
• Vegetation: March 20-30
• Full vegetation: In the second 10 days of April
• Flowering beginning-full flowering: May 10-15
• Maturation beginning: August 20-30

TECHNOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MUST
OF A FULLY MATURED LIATIKO

• Sugars: 220 - 250g/L
• Total acidity: 4,4 – 6,5 g/L
• Active acidity pH: 3,3 - 3,9

The secret to a great Liatiko is keeping yields low, applying the right cultivation management, so that it does not overripe, and finally, vinification with methods that allow maximum colour extraction.

GREEK LEGISLATION FOR LIATIKO VARIETY

The Liatiko variety belongs to the recommended vinifiable vine varieties in the viticultural department of Crete. Thus, the wines from Liatiko are characterized as DAFNES Protected Designation of Origin (DAFNES P.D.O.) and SITIA Protected Designation of Origin (SITIA P.D.O.), while it is included in CRETE Protected Geographical Indication wines (Crete P.G.I.).
It also belongs to the permissible vinifiable vine varieties in the regions of Central Greece and Macedonia.

What must a Greek Liatiko wine label write on

How is the taste and aroma, Greek Liatiko wine

The characteristics of Liatiko wine

Liatiko has a low colour intensity and varies depending on its age. It starts from a light ruby color that over time evolves into the color of burgundy.
The unique aromatic bouquet combines fresh red fruits with aromas of herbs and flowers. As it ages, this bouquet evolves and its special aromatic character is highlighted through notes of leather and spices and licorice.
The mouth is dominated by the same aromas, a moderate body, good acidity and soft tannins.
It can age up to 8 to 10 years, depending on the method of vinification.
As for the sweet wines from Liatiko, due to the concentration of grapes under the sun, this variety gives us wines with high levels of alcohol and low, very soft tannins.

Liatiko is considered as one of the finest red variety of the Cretan vineyard and one of the significant Greek red varieties.