Liatiko variety is cultivated on 30,000,000 sq.m (as indicated by data of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food since 2015). It is mainly found in Central and Eastern Crete, but also in Malevizio province. It is the variety which produces Dafnes Appellation of Origin of Superior Quality (OPAP) and together with Mandilaria variety it is the oldest red Greek wine. According to traveler Sommer, who visited Crete in 1590, a barrel of Liatiko was then bought for three crowns and it was used in the production of Malvazia wine during past centuries.

According to the dominant version, the name Liatiko comes from July (Iouliatiko – liatiko), since, being very early (the earliest variety of the Greek vineyard), its grapes ripen during the second or third ten-day period of July. In other words, we can call it “the grape of July” too.

Liatiko is a variety resistant to drought and high temperatures, lively, robust, fertile and productive. It has moderate resistance to downy mildew, it is sensitive to acid rot and it is treated by short pruning. Its grapes are medium-sized, spherical, with a thin blue-black skin and colorless, soft, juicy flesh. It is not one of the richly colored varieties and it is not suitable for long aging wines, but it can produce very sweet wines. Its color begins from light red, almost rose, and reaches a deep cherry red.

Depending on the region where it is cultivated, sometimes it produces a must rich in sugar and sometimes a must with moderate sugar, resulting in relatively high alcohol content. It is a variety susceptible to oxidation, the red color of the wine turns brown as time passes, it loses its coolness and freshness and it acquires organoleptic characteristics typical of this oxidizing deterioration.

Like a sweet wine, Liatiko variety brings out all its power and it is one of the best Greek varieties for the production of dry sweet wines.