Cypriot Wine

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There is archeological evidence that winemaking on the Mediterranean island of Cyprus may have existed as many 6000 years ago. Its location off the southern coast of Turkey and relatively near the Greek islands has always made it an attractive trading hub, as well as easy target conquered by many civilizations over the centuries. Its wine industry became especially prominent during the Middle Ages and the Crusades, as European traders found a market back home. A version of the sweet wine still produced today known as Commandaria (the highest ranking knights were “commanderies”) rose to prominence in the 12th century and was said to be a favorite of the Plantagenets. This is an early precursor to foreign English-stronghold fortified wines like Madeira and Marsala. Wine production on Cyprus came to a near standstill during the Ottoman occupation between the 17th and 19th centuries until the British Empire stepped in again around the 1870s. While most of the world suffered from the Phylloxera Read more »

Eventually, the standard international varieties were also planted on Cyprus, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Carignan and Chardonnay. Riesling has also been cultivated with some success at higher elevations. In the 1930s, a fortified product known as “Cyprus Sherry” from Palomino and Malvasia grapes became a successful export to northern Europe. This industry died out in the 1970s with a shift in consumer tastes. In the 1990s, the sherry label was branded for exclusive use on Spanish wines from Jerez.

The late 1970s and 80s saw a push in low quality, mass produced, blended Cypriot wines that were mostly marketed to eastern bloc countries. The business was predominately controlled by four major cooperatives who sourced grapes all over the island and were located on the coastal cities of Paphos and Limassol. This often meant the grapes traveled very far from their source in the hot sun. But this trend also died out with shifting consumer tastes, and also the fall of communism.

An effort to overhaul the Cypriot wine industry began in the 1990s. An appellation system doubling as a quality control measure is now in effect, and the industry continues to grow with the rise of smaller, regional wineries.

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Varietals Produced in Cyprus View all

Xynisteri

ξυνιστέρι (Xynisteri) is an indigenous white grape grown in Cyprus
Syrah

The irony here is that Syrah’s origins could give Carmen Sandiego a run for her international wallet. Syrah’s deepest...
Grenache

You’re a member of the ‘Rhône Ranger’ band. Your groupies think you’re ‘hot’, even when you're boozy and "strung out"...
Centurion

Centurion is a productive red grape cross, developed at U.C. Davis by crossing Cabernet Sauvignon, with Grenache and ...
Cabernet Sauvignon

“King of the Red Wine Grapes.” The colonizer of the vineyards, pushing native wine grapes into its shadows. The Caber...

Subregions of Cyprus

Popular Wineries in Cyprus View all

Domaine Hadjiantonas

The Winery is situated in Parekklisia in the rolling countryside east of Limassol in a beautiful ...
Keo Limited

Since it was founded in 1927, KEO has grown into the largest and most prestigious beverage suppli...
Fikardos Winery

Our family is passionate in grafting for you the true cypriot wine experience. The Fikardos...
Tsiakkas Winery

T he mountain villages in the Pitsilia Region of Cyprus have traditionally been famous for their ...
Vouni Panayia Winery Limited

Vouni Panayia Winery Ltd is the leader in the endeavour for the production of high quality wines ...
Lambouri Winery

Cyprus, the „Island of Love“ and birthplace of Aphrodite, is home to Lambouri Winery for over 30...

People getting updates on Cypriot Wines

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Cyprus on Snooth

June 2013

K & K Vasilikon Winery Ayios Onoufrios Dry Red NV

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No written review

Wine review by pleiotropy
February 2013

I have a bottle of Commanderie St John - i live in Sydney & wondering what its worth & how to sell it? Read More

Forum post in the topic Commanderie St John Cyprus...
December 2012

Hi everybody. I've just joined the site over the Christmas and have already ... ... local wine producers in Cyprus, Germany and several in Austria. I spend a lot of time in the south of Spain and am really passionate about the local wines.Anyway I hope you all have a Happy New Year and look forward to sharing tales of the vine with you in 201 Read More

Forum post in the topic RAFFERTY
November 2012

Keo Limited St. John Commandaria 1947

Snoothrank:

Unopened bottle. Vintage 1947 Commanderie St. John Cyprus Grape Wine. Been in the family for decades. Anyone know where I could list this to sell? Thanks! Happy Wine Tasting!! Read More

Wine review by VintageWine2012
July 2012

Kyperounda Commandaria 2004

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No written review

Wine review by 274756kiprosopia 274756
April 2012

Sodap Afames NV

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sweet Read More

Wine review by alanb1108
August 2011

Lambouri Winery Chardonnay Fumé 2001

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No written review

Wine review by calibay
April 2011

Lambouri Winery Chardonnay Fumé 2001

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No written review

Wine review by deannaw19
October 2010

Domaine Nicolaides Xinisteri Lemesos NV

Snoothrank:

i'm not sure if i got a bad bottle, perhaps corked or otherwise, but it sure tasted a bit cork-like with an acrid acid tinge as if you were drinking acidic liquefied wood.... i will try it again ...sometime.... Read More

Wine review by barri0s1872
August 2010

Hi all! Heading off to Paphos, Cyprus in November to get married to my wonderful fiance.IInstinctively, I did some research on Cypriot wine to find the region actually has a rather long history of wine tradition (dating to 3500 BC) and claims to have produced the oldest, continually produced wine of the world. (A desert wine called 'Commandaria'... Read More

Forum post in the topic Cypriot Wine
Dec 31, 2008

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