Lyrarakis Assyrtiko 2023
Art. # 6496
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Lyrarakis
Lyrarakis is a family wine cellar that has been producing high quality wines since 1966 with a strong emphasis on rare local Cretan varieties and produces single varieties of wine. The winery is located south of the capital of Crete - Heraklion, the grapes are grown at 550 meters above sea level, surrounded by the idyllic setting of the vineyards and mountains of Lasithi. The owners of the winery are credited with reviving two ancient Cretan varieties, Daphne and Plito, as well as contributing to the third "grape treasure" - the Melisaki variety, which is also grown in their vineyards.
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Crete
Crete is the largest Greek island with an area of 8,336 km², and the fifth-largest in the Mediterranean Sea, hosting the southernmost point of Greece. Its population exceeds 600,000 people. The region is divided into four smaller administrative areas called "nomes." From west to east, these are Chania, Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi. The largest city is Heraklion, which is also the capital of the island. Crete has been cultivating vineyards and producing wine since ancient times. Although 19th-century ampelographers documented up to 72 grape varieties in Cretan vineyards, not all differed significantly, nor were all suitable for winemaking. Today, fewer than 10 local varieties cover large vineyard areas, with about as many international varieties also having a notable presence. Among these, the leading local variety currently is the red Liatiko, an ancient grape whose name derives from its early ripening (Iouliatiko, meaning "occurring in July" in Greek), producing wines high in alcohol content. Other important varieties include the reds Kotsifali and Romeiko, cultivated almost exclusively in Chania, and the white Vilana—an old variety whose name (from Venetian villano—rough) suggests historically low esteem, though today it yields some very well-made examples. Also noteworthy is the red Tsardana, from the same family as Romeiko, found only in Western Crete; the red Mandilari; and the whites Thrapsathiri and Vidiano—the latter emerging as a rising star in Cretan viticulture, already gaining recognition abroad. Since ancient times, Crete has also been world-famous for its delicious and healing olive oil, often called the "liquid green gold of Crete." Archaeologists believe the olive tree was first cultivated around 6,000 years ago, while local inhabitants learned to produce olive oil about 2,500 years ago. Near the village of Kavousi, in an old olive grove, one can still see a millennium-old olive tree today—estimated to be over 2,000 years old, it is the most impressive olive tree not only in Greece but throughout the entire Mediterranean region.
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Assyrtiko
Assyrtiko (Assyrtico or Asyrtiko) is probably the most emblematic wine grape variety in Greece. It originates and is best grown on the volcanic island of Santorini in the Aegean Sea. The variety is quite versatile and its wines can be found in many styles, from fresh and mineral white wines to rich, nut-dessert, known as Vinsanto. On the island of Santorini there are up to 70-year-old vines, and, of course, this age affects the quality of wine - yields decrease and the concentration of aromas in the fruit gives the potential for production of complex and rich wines. The volcanic soils of the vineyards on the island do not allow the spread of phylloxera and here the vines do not need to be grafted on rootstocks. The harsh climatic conditions of the island - strong winds and hot sun - determine the unconventional form of growing Assyrtico - in "baskets" whose walls are made of plant stems and leaves, thus providing shelter for the fruit and protecting them from strong winds. Limited water resources in the soil force growers to plant the vines farther apart than generally accepted standards. Assirtiko is an oxidation-resistant variety used by Santorini winemakers in the production of Vinsanto sweet wines. By controlling the level of oxidation, darker wines with the characteristics of fig, coffee, kirsch and chocolate can be obtained. In the form of dry white wine, Assirtiko has a yellow-golden color with aromas of pear, apple and citrus, as well as fine minerality in the aftertaste. Naturally high acidity means that Assyrtico wines can be aged for many years.
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