Wine regions of Cyprus
- BarSomWizard
- Feb 28, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18, 2020
LAONA – AKAMAS
An alluring and captivating region with rugged coastlines, gorgeous and tranquil countryside, charming small villages imbued with culture and tradition, blossoming vines blended gently in with contemporary elements.
These lovely quaint villages are an open invitation to their vineyards- villages such as Ineia, Pano Arodes and Kathikas which lie on the western shores of the island.
‘Xynisteri is a native to Cyprus grape variety that thrives in the Cyprus climate with its sea breeze producing full bodied white wines, among the best on the island, with a delicate aroma and a refreshing taste.
Among the best of our red wines is the rare Maratheftiko, which you can also find along one of the wine routes on offer.
VOUNI PANAGIAS – AMBELITIS B
The Vouni Panagias – Ambelitis route lies on the western part of the island in the district of Paphos at an altitude of 2,400 feet above sea level. You will travel through a beautiful landscape sampling the delightful locally produced wines.
There are numerous wineries here producing white wines with a taste of peaches, green apples and apricots with a distinct delicacy and aroma.
The other native to Cyprus grape is the Maratheftiko variety. Made from red fruits, roses and violets this sumptuous red wine is also cultivated here. In the high altitude villages along this route including Vouni Panagias, Chrysorrogiatissa and Agios Fotios have a sample of the best Mavro grape wines, another local grape variety producing delicious dark and rose wines.
DIARIZOS VALLEY
Travelling along the Diarizos river, this route is encompassed in beautiful untouched greenery dotted with lovely vineyards and peace-inducing scenery.
The Diarizos valley is less well known in comparison to other wine growing areas, as it sits at a far lower altitude.
Although it hasn’t been at the forefront in recent years, things have changed.
The introduction of modern vine cultivation in numerous small wine making units that have been created have transformed this region in to a competitive wine making area which holds good promise for the future.
Encounter the warm hospitality of the locals among the tranquil landscape and enjoy the wine in friendly company and pleasant environment.
KRASOCHORIA (LIMASSOL WINE VILLAGES)
These are renowned wine villages, perhaps the most renowned on the island.
Lying amongst enchanting scenery, this is a stronghold of traditional wine making.
Found in the Limassol district, they are known as the Krasochoria, which in English is translated ‘wine villages’.
The Krasochoria have the greatest concentration of wineries on the island. Koilani and Omodos are a few worth mentioning. This route is truly unique compared to the others.
A dry climate combined with a unique geology is responsible for some excellent wines, made mostly from the local grape varieties Xynisteri and Mavro and also from some imported ones, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Mataro, Grenache and Syrah.
Take in (apart from the wine) the charming village scenery with its traditional architecture.
COMMANDARIA
A trip that takes you back in time, to the secrets of the island's most ancient and famous wine, the world famous Koumandaria.
The fourteen koumandaria villages along this route date back to the 12th c. when the knights of St. John were producing and exporting it.
One of the oldest named wines in the world, made from sun dried grapes to enhance their sugar content result in a sweet wine not dissimilar to sweet cherry Visit the surrounding wineries in the protected zone as well as the centuries old Laneia wine press which has been refurbished.
Worth visiting is the medieval castle of Kolossi, once the base of the Knights of St. John.
They are surrounded by vineyards of indigenous red Mavro and white Xynisteri, the grapes that for centuries have been the backbone of this gorgeous sweet wine.
All 14 Commandaria villages Commandaria are at the height of 500 to 900 metres (1640 to 2625 feet) above sea level. The region is divided into two soil types: limestone and volcanic-sandy.
PITSILIA
This route passes through the mountainous area east of the highest peak of Troodos.
The wine lover can visit 11 villages, nestling below three proud mountaintops – Olympus at 1,950 metres (6391 feet), Madari at 1,600 (5249 feet) and Papoutsa at 1,400 (4593 feet) - overlooking Pitsilia’s vineyards. . The long-ripening grapes here, the highest vineyards in the country, are picked and taken to two local winemakers.
Terroir: The region is intensely mountainous, but the arable lands are interspersed harmoniously with tracts of wild growth and forest. The soil is usually rather grey in colour, mild to mid-mechanical composition with a high level of sand.
Vineyards: The region has 32 villages within the “Pitsilia” OEOP appellation.
Apart from the local Mavro and Xynisteri, a further 11 grapes are cultivated.
White varieties: Xynisteri, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Malaga.
Red varieties: Ofthalmo, Vamvakada (Maratheftiko), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mattaro, Mavro, Shiraz, Lefkada, Yiannoudi.
LARNAKA-LEFKOSIA (NICOSIA-LARNAKA)
This is a route takes in the rural areas of Larnaka and Lefkosia, making its way through ten villages, and including three wineries, small museums and workshops.
Even though it is outside the traditional wine regions, there are active winemakers here who have planted vineyards with the Assyrtiko, Malvasia Aromatica, Chardonnay and Maratheftiko grape varieties.
The geology of this area is quite interesting, as it combines the limestone and ophiolite rocks (long-ago rocks from the sea-bed, forced upwards above sea level within a range of 100-1,400 metres )
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