Lyrarakis, 'Vóila' Assyrtiko, Crete, Greece

€16.99

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Delicious, crisp and fruity with enough concentration to balance all the swordfish you can manage. But seriously, this is a serious wine that will open your eyes and palates to the other end of the Mediterranean sea's wines and indigenous grapes. Plus, it's seriously good value.

Grown in the Vóila plain in the east of Crete, at an altitude of 580m, these Assyrtiko grapes are perfectly suited to their location, which is very similar to their original habitat of the island of Santorini. The diurnal temperature variation is massive (that's the posh phrase for the difference between hot daytime and cool nighttime temperatures) because it's Crete, which is really hot, and it's at such high altitude, which makes it cold at nighttime.

The wine is made from hand harvested grapes that undergo temperature-controlled, slow fermentation over about 16 days. Citrus, white peach, chalky dryness, concentrated palate, fresh and dry with depth of texture and a gorgeous, mouth-watering mineral finish.

The Lyrarakis family have been making wine in Crete for decades and first explored the area in which these Assyrtiko grapes are grown in the 1970s. It's particularly suited to this variety, they say, and it is the combination of the two - variety and terroir - that combine to give the wine its characteristics, charm and quality. Moderate alcohol levels and restraint, where excess would be such an easy option, make them wonderful food pairings and darling wines for sommeliers. The all-female wine making team are on the rise - critical acclaim and commercial success has had only one problem: they often run out of wine!

Jancis Robinson is a big fan - 17 points; Wine Enthusiast say it's one of the Best Buys and Wine and Spirits Magazine gave it 93 points.

Region: Crete

Country: Greece

Grape(s): Assyrtiko

Style: Medium-Light, Juicy, Fruity, Fresh, Elegant, Bright, Balanced

Best food matches: Tuna, Shellfish, Seafood, Pork, Lamb, Goat's Cheese, Cheeses, Casseroles, Barbecue, Asparagus, Aperitif

Alcohol: 13%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.

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When you order 12 bottles

Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.