Cypriot wines

Cyprus and wine making have a long history together, the country cultivating grape vine for thousands of years, dating back to at least 2300BC. The evidence has been found on a trading ship-wreck discovered in 1999. This ship was believed to be going from Greece to Egypt and was carrying about 2,500 amphorae of Cypriot wine.

Myhtologically, in the house of Dionysus, God of wine, men sang and drank wine through the night. Dionysus taught Ikarios how to make wine, and Ikarios was the first mortal to know the heady secret.

During the Lusignan occupation (12th to 14th Century) Cyprus was very close to French nobility, who had a passion for wine and Philip Augustus started a wine tasting competition in the 13th century in Cyprus.

Cyprus has a perfect climate, and good soil for growing certain grapes. Some local grape varieties that are cultivated are Mavro (red wine used for blending, is planted in 75% of vineyards), Xynisteri (white, drunk young), Maratheftiko (good for vintage wines), Ofthalmo (red) and Lefkada (red, imported form Greece).

Cyprus is ranked amongst the top 50 wine producing nations worldwide.

In the olden times, the Cyprus wine was believed to have cured and relaxed travellers. And it still does!

Most wineries are near Limassol and Paphos. These are easy to reach and their owners warmly welcome you and explain to you about the grapes and the wines.

Cyprus is famous mainly for its commandaria wine. Commandaria is sweet and amber-colored and has about 15% alcohol.

Limassol in Cyprus hosts an annual ‘Wine festival ’ . This is in worship of Dionysus - God of wine, and Aphrodite - Goddess of love and beauty.

The wine making in Cyprus is still concentrated in small villages and family vineries. However, the main commercial production is done by leading companies like KEO, LOEL, ETKO, Sodap, Omodos, Tsiakkas Winery etc.

The Cyprus economy benefits immensely from its wine industry not only in terms of cultivation and providing employment but as a significant export from the country. Cyprus is estimated to produce about 20 million litres of wine per annum.

Cyprus is also home to a wine museum, in an original ancestral vinery where old pots, vats and amphorae are displayed. The website is www.cypruswinemuseum.com