Description

PRODUCER:
Idaia Winery is a boutique, family-run winery situated in Venerato, a charming village in the heart of the Malevizi district’s vineyards. Owned by husband and wife oenologists Vasilis Laderos and Calliope Volitaki, they specialise in producing wines from indigenous varieties, utilising their extensive knowledge, experience, and passion to create these superb wines with strong personalities. Showcasing varietals such as Vidiano and Vilana, these crisp, dry mouth-watering whites are truly expressive of the terroir of Crete.

VINEYARD:
The indigenous variety of Vidiano is grown in the Dafnes subregion of Heraklion, in a vineyard located in a semi-mountainous area at an altitude of 400 to 500 metres above sea level. At this elevation, the cool Aegean summer breezes refresh the vines during the summer, when temperatures can reach 35°C. The cooler nights can drop to 15°C, and this diurnal temperature difference retains natural acidity in the grapes, balancing this wide and intensely aromatic variety. The calcium-rich, clayish soils offer good nutrients and excellent water retention to nourish the vines through the hot, dry summers. The low-yielding vines are trained according to the Royat method and produce just nine hectolitres per hectare. The soils, very low-yielding vines and the distinctive microclimate combine to create a unique terroir in which the Vidiano variety thrives.

WINEMAKING:
The winemaking philosophy is to create wines which showcase the quality of the indigenous varieties. Following a thorough inspection at the winery, the grapes were preserved for 24 hours at very low temperatures. The grapes were destemmed, and then cold maceration took place for approximately six hours. The free-run juice was removed without pressing. After a cold settling, the wine was fermented with carefully selected yeasts, which highlight the aromatic characters of this variety. Fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks for 10 to 12 days at a controlled temperature of 15°C to retain the characteristics of the Vidiano grape.

TASTING NOTE:
Delicate aromatic characters of ripe peach, apricot and melon lead to a refreshing acidity which balances the rich and charming palate. With an impressively aromatic finish, this is the quintessential introduction to the Vidiano grape.

GRAPES:
Vidiano 100%.