Wine Tasting
Cyprus Wine
There are two large wine festivals in Cyprus every year which are great fun:
Limassol wine festival which is scheduled for late August every year.
Afamia Grape festival which is in October
Commandaria and Zivania the two drinks indigenous to Cyprus and popular with many visitors are becoming
more and more recognized abroad! In fact Zivania is now recognized worldwide as the traditional spirit of Cyprus.
Cyprus has enjoyed over 4000 years of traditional wine making. They were in great demand by the Greeks and
the Pharos. The most popular currently associated with Cyprus, is Commandaria, originally named mana it
is one of the oldest wines in the world and was a favourite of the Templars and the Knights of St John who
liked it enough to export it to their countries.
The art of making wine was recorded in Cyprus in Neolithic and Chalkolithic sites across the island.
An example of a Bronze age pot depicting wine making was discovered in Kalavasos and was dated as 1900BC.
Others were found in Pyrgos village in Limassol and the Larnaca salt lake.
Other world class Cyprus wines are produced, most from indigenous varieties of wine-grape.
In fact many of the Cyprus wines are exported to France.
More than 100 varieties of grapes are cultivated on the island, there are currently grants available encouraging the regeneration of the old local wineries, which were handed from fathers to son. One such is a lovely winery in Vasa, which has been lovingly restored and well worth a visit, there wine is a worthwhile addition to any table..
Cyprus Wine of the Month
Cabernet Sauvignon, Linos Winery, Omodhos
Cabernet Sauvignon, Linos Winery, Omodhos, Alcohol Volume 12.8%
The grapes for this wine are from vineyards cultivated on the Afamis slopes of the village of Omodhos. It is a very dark garnet, almost blackish-purple in colour. This Cabernet has an interesting and complex aroma of peppery red fruit, cherry-berry, mint and cassis, and aromatic cedar. Full, ripe flavours consistent with the nose, firm tannins present but cloaked by the forward fruit. Surprisingly youthful, accessible and with no hint of “dump” stage. For Cabernet fans, served at 18 C to 20 C with roast beef or lamb and hard cheese.
Wineries
Ais Ambelis, Kato Chorio, Paphos district
Ayia Mavri, Kilani, Limassol district
Ayios Amvrosios, Ecological Winery, Ayios Amvrosios, Limassol district
Chrysoroyiatissa, Chrysoroyiatissa Holy Monastery, Paphos
Constantinou Bros, Pera-Pedi, Limassol District
ETKO-Olympus Omodos and Limassol
Fikardos Winery, Paphos region
KEO, Ktima Mallia, Limassol district
Kykkos Winery, Kykkos Holy Monastery, Nicosia region
Linos Winery, Omodos, Limassol
LOEL, Limassol
Monolithos, Pahna, Limassol district
Nicolaides VIneyards, Anoyira, Limassol District
Sodap, Limassol
Tsiakkas Winery, Pelendri
Vasa Winery, Kilani, Limassol district
K & K Vasilikon Winery, Kathikas, Paphos
Vlasiddes Winery, Kilani, Limassol district
Vouni Panayia Winery, Panayia, Paphos district
Yiaskouris Winery Ltd, Pachna, Limassol district
