INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR CYPRIOT WINES

CENTURIES OF KNOWLEDGE

Viticulture on the island today produces a whole range of quality wines and spirits. Along with the island’s indigenous grape varieties, the industry draws from centuries of knowledge and expertise. With this in mind, Cyprus wine is often referenced directly in the Mediterranean history and culture.

INDEGINOUS GRAPE VARIETIES

Indegenos vines have been reared on the island for centuries. The fact that these can only grow on the rugged foothills and sunny slopes of the Troodos Mountains, not only invokes something unique, but also something special. The ‘Mavro’, Maratheftiko’, and ‘Xynesteri’, vines represent the three main indigenous grape varieties. These form the base for most wines and spirits produced on the island.

UNIQUE QUALITY WINES & SPIRITS

The ‘Maratheftiko’ and ‘Mavro’ grape varieties produce red wines, and the ‘Xynestyri’, produces white wines. A combination of these are also used to create ‘Commandaria’, the infamous Cyprus dessert wine, along with a range of spirits, in particular ZIVANIA.

A GOOD RANGE OF WINES

The wine-growing regions of Paphos and, in particular, Limassol, continue to innovate the island’s wine industry. These regions continue to grow several grape varieties that are used to produce a wide range of quality wines. As leaders of the island’s viticulture movement, they constantly innovate and produce a good selection of crisp white wines along with some refreshing rosés and bold, full-bodied quality reds.

A GREATLY ENHANCED WINE PALETTE

Constant innovation by the island’s wine producers continues. This has seen indigenous Cypriot grape varieties merged with other mainstream grape varieties from all over the world. As a result, the island’s wine palette is now greatly enhanced. This continual experimentation has created several new Cypriot variations of good quality wines.

WINES TO BE ADMIRED

Rapidly gaining international recognition, a thriving island-wide wine industry is now firmly in place across Cyprus. This is further illustrated by seasoned wine connoisseurs, from all over the world, who are constantly found admiring and recommending wines from Cyprus. The quality of Cyprus wine, and all it has to offer, is also highlighted by the numerous international awards that the industry as whole is constantly awarded.

The rich & diverse world of Cyprus wine

Commandaria: The Wine of Kings

One of the most iconic and traditional Cypriot wines is Commandaria. This sweet, amber-coloured dessert wine has a history that dates back several centuries and is the oldest documented wine still in production today. Dubbed as ‘the wine of the kings, and the king of wines’ by none other than Richard the Lionheart, this wine is made from sun-dried berries that are aged in solid oak barrels. Commandaria is the perfect accompaniment for cheeses or desserts.

Ayia Mavri Moshatos: A Sweet Pleasure

The lesser-known Ayia Mavri Moshato is another Cypriot amber-coloured sweet dessert wine. It offers a rich clarity and a sweet floral aroma that offers a unique and indulgent drinking experience. The wine’s sweet taste is balanced by a delicate acidity, which provides a smooth and satisfying finish. Ayia Mavri Moshato is best paired with fruits, as well as desserts.

Cyprus White: The Flagship White Wine of Cyprus

The white wines of Cyprus are mainly made from the Xynisteri grape variety. This grape variety produces crisp and refreshing white wines that has several citrus and floral notes. Xynisteri in its rare form is often compared to Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, but successfully maintains its distinctive character. Reflecting the island’s sunny climate, a wine made from Xynisteri is the perfect accompaniment to seafood, salads, or light pasta dishes.

Cyprus Red: A Bold Red with Its Own Unique Personality

The red wines of are mainly made from Maratheftiko or Mavro grape varieties. These grape varieties produce bold, full-bodied red wines that have rich fruity flavours and a spicy finish. Maratheftiko has been gaining popularity in recent years thanks to its intense hues. This grape variety is often blended with other renowned European grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz, to add depth and structure. Maratheftiko pairs well with hearty meat dishes or mature cheeses.

CYPRUS VITICULTURE

6,000 YEARS OF HISTORY

Viticulture in Cyprus is thought to have begun around 6,000 years ago. Today, the island’s hot climate, fertile soil, and native grape varieties contribute to the distinct characteristics of unique Cypriot wines and spirits. The island has also maintained its worldwide recognition for its wine-making, mainly through the four largest wine companies on the island. Although the big four dominate Cypriot wine-making, there are also several small independent boutique wineries. These smaller independent wineries also constantly innovate to produce a wide range of all types of quality Cypriot wines.

THE BIG FOUR

ETKO is the oldest wine producer on the island and it is still run by its founding family. KEO, which also produces the most popular local beer, was formed in 1927 in Limassol. The British-owned Chaplin winery was purchased by a group of prominent local businessmen. They installed a brewery to their plant in 1951 and began to produce Keo beer along with their range of Cypriot soft drinks, wines and spirits. LOEL was formed after several ETKO trade union members broke away from the company after repeated industrial action failures throughout World War 2. SODAP was also founded just after the end of World War 2, by several vine cultivators who focused their efforts on protecting the rights of their new co-operative. Their new company enabled vine growers to create and then control their own product from the vineyard, all the way to the shop shelf.

THE MARATHEFTIKO GRAPE

The Maratheftiko grape variety is the oldest known grape variety on the island. It has a distinctive, unique characteristic that is used to create several unique varieties of full-bodied red wines. Due to its difficult cultivation, it is grown in sparse quantities, mostly in the northern region of the Troodos mountains. Maratheftiko requires co-planting with other varieties of grape to achieve fertilisation. This grape is not very resilient, so the yields are very low in comparison to other grape varieties. Maratheftiko wines are usually aged using oak. its nectar is often blended with other red grape varieties to create an overall dry wine. Today Cabernet or Carignan noir are the most popular wine varieties that are blended with Maratheftiko.

THE MAVRO GRAPE

The Mavro grape variety, meaning black, takes its name from the rich dark colour of the berries that ir produces. This grape variety is used to create several full-bodied red wines and is the main grape used to create ZIVANIA, which has no freezing point. This grape variety is also used to create the sweet dessert wine Commanadaria. This resilient grape is mainly cultivated on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountain range and is the dominant cultivated vine on the island for red wine production. Unlike most European vines, Mavro continues to grow on original ancient rootstock that is well-suited to the hot Cypriot climate. Mavro wines are usually aged using oak and are blended with other red wine varieties. These include Shiraz and Merlot Noir.

THE XYNISTERI GRAPE

The Xynisteri grape variety is used to create a number of light, crisp, fresh white varieties of wine. This variety is also used in the production of both ZIVANIA and Commandaria, and is also cultivated on the southern slopes of the Troodos mountain range. The Xynisteri grape is the dominant cultivated vine on the island for white wine production. Xynisteri wines are also aged using oak and are blended with other white wine varieties such as Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc to create a blend of drier wine varieties. Xynisteri wines are also blended with red varieties to produce rosé wines known locally as Kokkinelli wines.

A FULL RANGE

Cypriot winemaking on the island has expanded due to the introduction of European grape varieties. These new varieties have successfully been blended with the original three Cypriot grapes, and this has expanded wine production on the island. Cyprus now offers a full range of unique quality wines. Locally produced rose options as well as sweet to dry red and white wines are readily available, and recently, production of a new range of sparkling wines has also begun.

THE CYPRUS WINE VALLEY

Following the Diarizos River east towards Limassol, reveals at least 18 different vineyards that are located in and around 14 villages, east of Paphos. Each winery, along the way, offers not only unique local wine varieties, but also some breath-taking landscapes that offer a perfect wine tasting backdrop.

These villages include