Commandaria...a sweet taste of history!

Commandaria is a legendary dessert wine from Cyprus, known for its rich flavour and deep historical roots. Recognized with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status since 1990, Commandaria is exclusively produced in specific villages on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains.

Often referred as one of the oldest wines in the world, Commandaria has been enjoyed for centuries and holds a special place in Cypriot winemaking tradition. This unique sweet wine is crafted from two indigenous Cypriot grape varieties: Xynisteri, a white grape, and Mavro, a red grape. Sun-dried before fermentation, the grapes give Commandaria its signature sweetness and complexity.

The process begins with allowing the grapes to ripen fully on the vines until September. After harvesting, the grapes are sundried for 1-2 weeks, increasing their sugar content. The dried grapes are then pressed, and the wine is fortified and aged in oak barrels for at least two years, giving it a distinct taste and complexity. Commandaria's traditional production process and rich history make it a must-try for wine enthusiasts and an essential part of Cyprus's winemaking heritage.

Interesting facts about Commandaria wine:

● Euripides named it the Cypriot Nama, which means “the nectar of the gods”.

● During the Byzantine period, when Christianity had prevailed on the island, it became the wine of the Holy Communion.

● Richard the Lionheart, on his way to Jerusalem in the Third Crusade, conquered Cyprus and during his wedding to Berengaria, he celebrated his marriage with the Cypriot Nama and named it “the king of wines and wine of kings.”

● Later on, the Cypriot Nama was renamed as Commandaria, which derives from the region where it was produced in the southwestern part of the island, named “La Grande Commanderie”.

● During the 12th century, King Philip of France called Commandaria the “Apostle of wines” after it won the first international competition. The competition was mentioned in Henri d’Adèli’s poem “The Battle of the wines.”

● The reputation of Commandaria continued to improve throughout the Middle Ages and another legend says that Cyprus was conquered by the Ottoman sultan Selim II in 1570 because “There is a great treasure on this island that only The King of Kings can enjoy” meaning the Commandaria wine.

● The 14 designated villages that lie in the Commandaria Region are: Agios Georgios, Doros, Laneia, Agios Mamas, Kapileio, Zoopigi, Kalo Chorio, Agios Pavlos, Agios Konstantinos, Louvaras, Gerasa, Apsiou, Monagri and Silikou.

Indulge yourself with a road trip through the Commandaria wine route and discover the history of the most ancient and famous Commandaria wine.