With wine traditions going as far back as 4,000 and more, Cyprus holds a unique place in history for wine making and the developement of the wine trade.
One of the renowned Cyprus wines, Commandaria is aknowledge to possibly be the oldest known wines in the world and the first to be given an 'Appellation of Origin.'
Cyprus has shared its rich heritage from the very beginning, from the Pharaohs of Egypt, to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Excavations in Paphos have uncovered old coins with representations of vines on one side. These are believed to date back to the 3rd century BC and indicate that wine was a major source of the island's wealth even then. A 6th century BC Cypriot chalice has been engarved with the words 'Be happy and drink well', signifying the quality of wine and its importanance in the life of Cyprus. Countless mosaics discovered in ancient sites also show representations of the importance of Cyprus grapes and wines.
The 40 centuries of successful wine making is due to the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains where the sun shines clear and hot. The melting of the winter snow from the peaks supplies the perfect amount of underlying moisture. This is where the classic Cyprus grapes can be found: the Mauro and the Xynisteri, the Opthalmo and the Muscat.
In the present day it is also possible to find a selection of European newcomers such as: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Carignan, Grenache and Palomino.
The rich, strong and vigorous traditional wines are still found, however they now lie side by side with the more delicate, fruity and mellow wines. These include names such as Palomino, Salamis, Thisbe, and White Lady, which appeal more to the European palate.
