The PDO Malvasia Sitia, received its PDO status in 2011 and is based at the perfecture of Lasithi in Crete. The zone includes areas that are found at an altitude between 300 – 700 metres above sea level. With a purely mediterranean climate wines produced in this zone offer high alcohol and high acidity levels . The Malvasian wines of Crete were always multivarietal wines from different indigenous varieties that were traded by the Venetians between the 14th – 17th century. PDO Malvasia Sitia includes sweet sundried and sundried fortified white wines, produced from at least 85% Assyrtiko, Thrapsathiri, Athiri and Liatiko and maximum 15% of Whitw Muscat and Malvasia di Candia Aromatica. Wines must age for at least 24 months in oak barrels.