Krasochoria Lemesou – Laona wine region

A high sub-zone of the Krasochoria around Arsos, Vasa and western Omodos, with vineyards from 750 m up to 1,100 m and the longest variety list of the Lemesos appellations.

Minimum natural alcohol 12% vol for reds and 11% for whites and rosés. Maratheftiko must age at least six months in oak barrels, and every red at least six months in bottle. Vines must be at least five years old, with at least 220 vines per decare, trained as low goblets or in rows, and irrigation stops one month before harvest. The wine must be made inside the zone. Labels read Krasochoria Lemesou, with or without the word Laona.

Mountain country with moderate to steep slopes, on average 20° to 35°, and poor calcareous soils. The ground is usually terraced so that vines can be planted, and most vineyards face south.

Mild summers and mild to cold winters. The mean daily temperature is about 15 °C: 22–25 °C in summer and 6–8 °C in winter, with about 7.5 hours of sunshine a day.