Among the many pleasures of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus is the tradition and history of its wine-making. Botanical and archaeological findings confirm that the art of creating wine was well-developed long before the time of Christ, with Cyprus as a supplier to the Pharaohs of Egypt, as well as Ancient Greeks and Romans. Throughout the ages, wine has provided much of the island’s wealth and Cypriots take pride in their wine-making tradition.
Classic Cypriot and European Grape Varieties Contribute to Delicious Wine
The southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains north of Limassol (Lemesos) constitute the main wine growing areas of the island, with wine areas also scattered near Paphos. Traditionally rich, vigorous, and strong wines are made from the classic grapes of Cyprus: Mavro, Xinisteri, Opthalmo, and Muscat. With the aim of producing fruity, delicate, and mellow wines, the European grape varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, and Palomino, are also cultivated, with an overall total of 100 different grape varieties.
Established Wine Routes Designated for Discovering the Local Wines and Regions
The Cyprus Tourist Organisation has organised and designated several wine routes where visitors can see the vines and vineyards, admire the various natural landscapes, and enjoy the local production. In all of the wine-making regions, visitors can sample the local delicacies in villages, wineries, monasteries, and shops, each place offering its own brand of charm. Three of the most interesting are the Kilada Diarizou Wine Route, the Krasochoria Lemesou Wine Route, and the famed Koumandaria Wine Route.
Kilada Diarizou Wine Route near Pafos
The Diarizos River valley is the least known wine region of Cyprus and for many years it remained in the background. However, a boom in small wine-making properties in recent decades and modern cultivation techniques have made this naturally picturesque and scenic area much more competitive. The starting and finishing point is Acheleia and the route winds along the Diarizos River offering stunning landscapes.
Krasachoria Lemesou Wine Route near Lemesos
The Limassol (Lemesos) region is so dense with wine-growing villages that it has earned the name Krasachoria, or “Wine Villages”. Starting from Kolossi and finishing in Avdimou, the route takes you through the traditional villages of Omodos, Vasa, Koilani, Lofou, and Vouni, with their cobbled passages and lovely nestled settings. This wine route produces some excellent wines from Xynisteri and Mavro grapes, as well as Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache, and Syrah.
Koumandaria Wine Route near Lemesos
The world-renowned sweet Koumandaria (Commandaria) wine is credited as being the oldest named wine in the world and was the first to be given an “Appellation d’Origine”. The route, dating back to 1192 AD, starts at the medieval castle of Kolossi, ends in Agia Fyla, and goes through the fourteen original Koumandaria villages where the Knights of St. John were busy perfecting their production of Koumandaria that the Order of the Knights of the Temple had also worked on. Legend has it that the wine was originally made for Richard the Lionheart and the Crusaders, and the name “Commandaria” came from “vin de Commandarie”, which refers to the wine that was produced at the Knights’ headquarters. Evidence suggests that “Koumandaria” goes back even further to ancient times (approximately 2500 BC), when it was called “Mana” or “Mother” and produced in earthenware jars.
One of the best ways to celebrate the uniqueness and beauty of Cyprus is to indulge in some of the delicious local wines. Luckily, the wine routes provide visitors a way to taste the local delicacies in their traditional settings, and to take in the amazing and varied scenery, all at the same time.
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