Cyprus Wines

Pinot noir, sauvignon, merlot, chardonnay, and riesling may sound strange but for those who have the penchant for wines these names would always ring a bell. All these names are varieties of grapes used in wine making. These are popular varieties have originated from different parts of the world. In Cyprus wine grapes are truly different from other countries of the world, which makes Cyprus wines one of a kind.

The rich and fertile soil and the favorable climate in Cyprus has paved the way for the cultivation of grapes in the country. There is no solid proof as the history of winemaking in Cyprus. In like manner nobody can point out clearly as to the origin of viticulture. No single proof can shed light if the grapes were already present in the island even before the Turks and the Greeks have decided to settle in the country for good.

It has been assumed though that grape cultivation must have started some time in the second millennium BC. But the origin of wine making is still unknown even until today, at least as far as the Cypriots are concerned. Nevertheless Cyprus wines are still considered as one of the best that the world has ever produced. In fact these Cyprus wines is one of the many reasons that warring tribes and including those invaders wanted to have sole claim of the island especially the areas where grapes are grown.

The legendary Templar Knights and one of the most celebrated figure in the history of the church and England’s Richard the Lionhearted was also fascinated with the rich tradition of wine making in Cyprus. He too and so with the rest of other noted leaders that had set foot on the island are all addicted to the sweet taste of Cyprus wines. True enough, during the Middle Ages, Cyprus wines had become the envy of other wine producing countries. These wines had somehow become the gold standard.

The most popular wine grape varieties that are cultivated in Cyprus is mavro that is black in color and perhaps the pinot noir counterpart in other countries. This grape variety is also the most cultivated which accounted for almost 73% of land of the entire grape plantation. The white variety, which is popularly known as xynistre in Cyprus covers only 14% of the total land area being cultivated with grapes. This variety must be the counter part of the chardonnay or sauvignon blanc in other wine producing countries.

Wine making is not given much importance in the northern part of Cyprus however as it is in the southern part. Nonetheless Cyprus wines are still adored and preferred.