Ηράκλειο (Iraklio)

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Terroir

• Vineyard elevations range from 30 to approximately 1,000 m a.s.l., with pronounced topographic relief.
• A strong presence of CaCO₃ characterises the soils of the αμπελουργική ζώνη.
• Typical μεσογειακό κλίμα: mean annual temperature of 18 °C and mean annual rainfall of 440 mm.
• The central mountain massifs block warm southerly winds, sheltering the vineyards.
• Cool northerly winds delay ripening and reduce the risk of heat stress.

• Viticulture in the prefecture of Heraklion has roots stretching back to the Minoan period; a 16th-century BC winepress has been discovered at Vathypetro in Αρχάνες.
• In 1415, ships from across the world loaded at least 20,000 barrels of Malvasia annually from the port of Candia.

• High temperatures and intense sunshine promote the accumulation of sugars and aromatic compounds in sun-dried grapes.
• The variety Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, in combination with the prevailing soil and climatic conditions, imparts distinctive organoleptic characteristics to the Λιαστός οίνος wines.

• Cool northerly winds lead to later ripening of wine grapes, shaping the profile of the ΠΓΕ Heraklion wines.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Sources

• National product specification (PDF) — ypaat
• eAmbrosia register (EU) — File number PGI-GR-A1565
• Official trade body site — Wines of Greece (EDOAO)