Domaine Lyrarakis
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Ready, but will keep,
Located in the mountainous commune of Alagni in Crete, Domaine Lyrarakis stays true to local winemaking traditions. The domaine focuses on indigenous varieties, taking them from obscurity and driving them in a more modern direction, while still retaining a clear sense of place. Its style focuses on pure varietal character, precision and supple texture. The 2017 Assyrtiko is an exemplary wine of outstanding value. Grown at 580 metres’ altitude in the Voila vineyard there is a definite floral character, refreshing minerality and chalky texture to this delicious wine.
Bottle
£12.95
Case price (12)
£139.80
Saving
£15.60
Bottle 6 x 75cl 21cs
£45.24
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Domaine Lyrarakis,
Drink now,
A historic wine which enjoyed huge success for 300 years while Crete was ruled by Venice, the tradition was to blend together a number of native Cretan grapes rather than use a single varietal. This blend comprises the white cultivars Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano and Vilana. Grapes are dried in the sun for nine days to concentrate the sugars and the must, and, after pressing, the wine is aged in new oak for a year.
You might expect the resultant wine, from such a warm climate, to be on the heavy side, but in fact the contrary is true. There is a high degree of lusciousness with rich, grapey, apricot-and-honey aromas, and plenty of weight on the palate, but there is also a real sense of elegance and freshness to the wine. Serve it with creamy fruit desserts or simply with ripe stone fruit such as peaches and nectarines, whilst sitting at an open-air table overlooking a Greek harbour.
You might expect the resultant wine, from such a warm climate, to be on the heavy side, but in fact the contrary is true. There is a high degree of lusciousness with rich, grapey, apricot-and-honey aromas, and plenty of weight on the palate, but there is also a real sense of elegance and freshness to the wine. Serve it with creamy fruit desserts or simply with ripe stone fruit such as peaches and nectarines, whilst sitting at an open-air table overlooking a Greek harbour.
Screwcap
H/Bottle
£16.00
Case price (6)
£86.40
Saving
£9.60
Screwcap
H/Bottle 6 x 37.5cl 4cs
£65.46
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Domaine Lyrarakis, established in 1966 is located in the mountainous commune of Alagni (440m), south of the city of Heraklion, in Crete. The well-preserved 14th century stone-presses in the fields around the winery are a testament to the area’s long history of grape-growing and wine making.
The winery is at the forefront of viticultural innovation: It has been long championing obscure local varieties, such as the ancient white cultivars of Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano that were brought back from extinction and have since garnered much acclaim for their quality.
The extensive portfolio consists of a range of monovarietal wines (Vidiano, Plyto, Mandilari, Assyrtiko, Vilana, Thrapsathiri, Kotsifali) – some from single, “premium” vineyard plots, as well as blends of indigenous with international varieties (Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot). Quality remains keynote and the style emphasises fruit precision, purity and supple texture , placing the wines firmly in the modern camp, yet without flamboyance or exaggeration.
A distinctive rendition of the ancient sweet wine of Crete, Malvasia, completes the Estate’s extensive range. The wine is based on sun-dried Plyto, Dafni, Vidiano and Vilana and is hence a multi-varietal blend rather than a single varietal wine, which according to the Lyrarakis’ family, reflects closely ancient winemaking traditions in the island.
Lyrarakis estate has built on the traditions of the region, taking their wines in a more modern direction while retaining their sense of place.
Read Tom Cannavan's review of Lyrarakis winery: Domaine Lyrarakis has led the wine revolution on the island of Crete