{"id":35807,"date":"2023-10-02T08:05:14","date_gmt":"2023-10-02T08:05:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyprusescape.com\/?page_id=35807"},"modified":"2023-10-19T09:09:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T09:09:54","slug":"cyprus-wine","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cyprusescape.com\/cyprus-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"Cyprus Wine: The Ancient Elixir of Gods"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Wine is as synonymous with Cyprus as pizza is with Italy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll feel the love that these people have for their wines when you take a trip through a gorgeous wine village, or you’ll experience it first-hand when having dinner at a local’s house.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The island is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a very rich history of wine-making that dates back to 3,500 BC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, the first wines in the Mediterranean region were produced in Cyprus nearly 6,000 years ago and the first named wine in the world came from this very island.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Grapes Behind the Greatness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Cypriot winemakers are very serious about their wines. You can be certain that they only use high-quality grapes that’ll produce the highest quality wines. Some of these grapes include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maratheftiko<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This ancient red grape variety is sparsely grown at wineries across the island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maratheftiko grapes need to be planted next to other varieties that’ll flower at the same time, like Spourtiko, because this variety is unable to self-pollinate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you ever tasted a Cyprus wine with a soft floral aroma and chocolate or coffee undertone, these grapes are to thank.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Xynisteri<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Xynisteri vineyards take up a large portion of Cyprus’ land space as it’s the island’s main white-wine grape variety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have tasted both Xynisteri wines and Commandaria before, you may have noticed the important role that these grapes play in the most popular Cyprus wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mavro<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mavro is the Greek word for black<\/em>, which makes the name well-suited to this grape variety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mavro, a dark-skinned grape indigenous to Cyprus, also plays a big role in the process of making Commandaria. It’s the most planted grape variety in Cyprus, making it the island’s main wine grape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cyprus’ Wine Regions: Where the Magic Happens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are various regions in Cyprus that play an important part in the island’s wine production. Here are some of those regions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Limassol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This historic Cyprus wine region is home to the largest concentration of wine villages, wineries, and vineyards on this Mediterranean island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll find this region in southern Cyprus, where it surrounds the city of Limassol. One of the most popular Cyprus wine routes, the Krasochoria of Lemes\u00f3s, runs through this wine region, passing 20 wine villages.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paphos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The vineyard-covered slopes around Polemi, Kouklia, and Kathikas are responsible for most of the Paphos region’s wine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The region is home to some of the island’s prime wine villages, like Inia, and the most esteemed wine routes, like Laona-Akamas.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commandaria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You could probably guess what this Cyprus wine region is known for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ancient amber-colored dessert wine, still in production after nearly 6,000 years, is known as Commandaria. The Commandaria region, situated in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains, is home to all 14 of the wine villages that are allowed to produce this well-known wine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commandaria: The World\u2019s Oldest Wine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The ancient locals responsible for what we know as Cyprus wine are also the masterminds behind the world’s oldest named wine. What’s more, this dessert wine, widely known as Commandaria, is still in production on the island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mavro and Xynisteri grapes are sun-dried to make Commandaria, which is a pretty sweet wine. Before fortification, this Cyprus wine reaches an alcohol content level of 15%. So, don’t be fooled by the sweetness because it can be quite potent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commandaria was a popular choice amongst ancient Greeks, who probably partied until sunrise with this dessert wine in hand. In the 12th Century, when King Richard the Lionheart and Berengaria of Navarre tied the knot, they served Commandaria. This is when the king declared this wine as the wine of kings and the king of wines. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sip Like a Local: Cypriot Wine Etiquette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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As with dining and general etiquette, there’s a set way to enjoy Cyprus wine. Here are some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to sipping on wine on this Mediterranean island: <\/p>\n\n\n\n