Drama Château Julia
The town of Drama, home of Château Julia, is located at the foot of the Falakro Mountain. Drama was a centre for Dionysian worship in ancient times and today there is still evidence of vines dating back to the fourth millennium BC. Local fable tells that Dionysus himself introduced the local lords to the secret of the vine. A temple to Dionysus was excavated in 400 B.C. The Domaine is proud of their rich vinous history, Costa Lazaridi even has a wine museum, called Oenotria Land, near Athens which traces and captures the history of wine. And wine is certainly a family affair with Costas and Julia’s twin sons, George and Gerasimos, who grew up in the vineyard and winery, already taking an active part in the business. The Domaine has a deep passion for what they do:
“Innovation and respect for nature are characteristic of every undertaking of Domaine Costa Lazaridi since the beginning. From the varietal composition of the first vineyards, setting the basis of the rebirth of vine cultivation in the region, to the equipment of the winery, which is always at the technological forefront, or the character of the wines which follows the particularities of each plot or vintage.” - Costa Lazaridi.
Vineyard
Château Julia is part of Domaine Costa Lazaridi, it owes its name to Costa Lazaridi’s wife, Julia. The estate was established in 1979 with 8.5 hectares of experimental of experimental Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Assyrtiko from Santorini. Costa believed that Drama, the region in which Château Julia is located, could compete on the world stage and the Julia range was thus created in 1996. Today, the estate has grown to cover over 200 hectares with vineyards ranging from 200m to 900m in elevation and 50% of production is exported.
Wines
Their Assyrtiko (white) and their Agiorgitiko (red) are both made 100% of the local grapes from which they derive their names. The Assyrtiko is characterful, aromatic, edgy, mineral, pure, citrusy, flinty, age worthy, textured, saline and a good alternative to Chardonnay. The Agiorgitiko grape is a versatile variety that can produce rosés, rich reds right through to sweet wines. Most commonly it is made either into a young, unoaked red or a red matured in oak for at least 12 months. The unoaked wines have fresh red fruits, medium acidity and soft tannins. Whereas the Oaked styles are deeper in colour with complex, concentrated red fruits on the nose (sour cherry, raspberry, spice), rich fruit on the palate and high quality, marked but ripe tannins.
Click here for current availability or call us on 01353 721 999. For marketing queries, please contact Laura Taylor at laura@privatecellar.co.uk
