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Liatiko
Red grape variety from Crete, Greece


#Liatiko


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


The history of the grape variety LiatikoContract from Venetian era: Bartering a Logado vineyard for a Liatiko vineyard





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 (13th to the 17th 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




GRAPES OF LIATIKO VARIETY CRETE GREECE

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


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


 

DOULOUFAKIS WINES FROM LIATIKO VARIETY


Dafnios Red wine from Liatiko grape variety
Dafnios Red
  • 100 % Liatiko
  • Dry Wine
  • Barrel Maturation
Helios naturally sweet wine from Liatiko grape variety
Helios Red
  • 100 % Liatiko
  • Natural Sweet Wine
  • Barrel Maturation
Natural Amphora Liatiko wine from Liatiko grape variety
Amphora Liatiko
  • 100 % Liatiko
  • Natural wine
  • Clay amphora vinification


SERVING LIATIKO
As in all red dry wines, Liatiko is served at about 17°C. The best temperature for the sweet wine is 10°C.


PAIRING LIATIKO WITH FOOD
The food suggestions are correct only if we take into consideration the special character of each wine.





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DOULOUFAKIS WINES
FROM CRETE, GREECE