Iouliatiko

In order to create a naturally sweet dessert wine, the grapes are brought at our winery in Skalani, Heraklion, spread out in nets and allowed to be dried under the Cretan sun for 10-12 days. The red native variety “liatiko” is found mainly in Crete and has its roots in antiquity. It is probable that it owes its name to its early days as it matures in the month of July – the 7th (VII) month of the year. It gives us dry wines, high in color, with a deep red color, but also sweet, rich with a rich aroma and full of flavor. The “Iuliatiko” took its name from the earlier name of the homonymous variety. Once the oenologist has decided that the grapes have acquired the required phenolic maturity but also the level of sugar he wants, the grapes are pressed in a pneumatic press to get the high-sugar grape juice with the viscous texture (as a syrup). This grape juice has very interesting aromas reminiscent of coffee and nuts that will later be incorporated into the wine. Alcoholic fermentation takes place under specific temperature conditions (10-17C) until the fermentation stops by itself leaving excess sugars. The wine will remain with fine lees in old oak barrels for 3 years and will then be bottled in the unique bottles that characterize it.