DID YOU ALSO KNOW?? Commandaria: The Wine of Kings and the King of Wines Commandaria is a sweet, delicious dessert wine with a natural warm ruby colour. It is one of the best and oldest wines in Cyprus, and thankfully still in production today. This unique wine is produced from mature, sun-dried grapes of the varieties ‘Xinisteri’ (local white grape variety) and ‘Mavro’ (meaning black-local dark purple grape variety). Commandaria is only produced in the following 14 neighbouring villages: Ayios Georgios, Ayios Konstantinos, Ayios Mamas, Ayios Pavlos, Apsiou, Gerasa, Doros, Zoopigi, Kalo Chorio, Kapilio, Laneia, Louvaras, Monagri and Silikou. The Commandaria region is located on the slopes of the Troodos Mountains. It is said to date back to the time of the ancient Greeks, 4,000 years ago, when it was a popular drink at festivals celebrating the goddess of Love and Beauty, Aphrodite. Evripides called it the ‘Cyprus Nama’, synonymous with the Nectar of Gods. The name ‘Commandaria’ however dates back to the crusades in the 12th century. It was greatly enjoyed at the wedding of Richard the Lionheart and was thus pronounced as the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines. It is believed that Commandaria won the first ever best wine tasting competition that included wines from all over Europe and France. In recognition of its long tradition, it has been awarded the: ‘Appellation of Controlled Origin’
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 16:24:21 +0000
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