Cyprus Wine Data
Cyprus is a country well known throughout the centuries for wine production and distribution. Records dating back to 2300 BC reveal a thriving wine trading economy. Unearthed vessels with traces of wine components and a poem written in the 13th century attesting to the first recorded wine tasting competition, in which the Cypriot Commandaria wine was the winner, add rich and intriguing history to this country’s wine making. Cyprus wine production and industry is considered to be of the old world wine producing countries. But, the country has kept up with new world production techniques and currently ranks about 37th in the world.
Cyprus is also a prolific exporter of sherry. Cyprus sherry competes with sherry from France and Spain not only in taste and quality but in price where it often easily dominates. During the 1980s, Cypriot sherry became the number 3 supplier to European country and has one of the most recognized brand names among sherry producers. Additionally, during the 80s, efforts were made to preserve and create smaller wineries to reduce the transportation time and further control fermentation. These efforts were rewarded with greater quality wine production and served to maintain populations in the rural areas.
Cyprus also boasts making the world’s oldest wine still in production, Commandaria. This wine is a sweet dessert-like wine often fortified and made from Xynisteri and Mavro varietals. Through the fermentation and production methods, Commandaria has high alcohol content relative to other wines and, often after reaching such high levels, is fortified. History claims that Richard the Lionheart enjoyed this wine at his wedding and during the Battle of the Wines, the first wine competition recorded, it was declared the victorious superior.
The climate of Cyprus is ideal for wine production. It has the warmest climate in Mediterranean portion of Europe. The winters are mild and the summers tend to be hot and sunny. Its climate is described as subtropical and semi-arid. This warm and dry climate with plenty of sun year-around is perfect for grape growing. Humidity is not extreme and the majority of the rainfall occurs in the autumn months. Cypriot wines are known for quality and affordability. Their wineries have rich histories adding to the appeal of Cyprus wines.