In all probability, all of you studying this text, you already know Sauternes wines from France and Port wines from Portugal. Most of you already know Vinsanto from Italy or Santorini. And plenty of of you already know Tokaj from Hungary and Mavrodaphne from Patras, iced wine from Germany and Sherry from France. What number of of you do know Commandaria or Koumandaria from Cyprus?
Commandaria is a candy wine from the Island of Cyprus in Mediterranean and it’s thought of to be the oldest wine nonetheless within the making, acknowledged by the Guiness Guide of world information. It’s loved as a dessert and after dinner wine however in Cyprus additionally it is used as a Communion within the Greek Orthodox Church buildings, which in lots of events known as Nama.
In accordance with legend, King Richard the Lionheart of England was so taken with commandaria that at his wedding ceremony he pronounced it “the wine of kings and the king of wines.” Equally struck by the intoxicating liquor was the French King Philippe Augustus who is alleged to have declared it to be “the Apostle of wines”.
The candy wine is barely produced from two Cypriot indigenous grape varieties, Xynisteri, a white selection and Mavro, a purple that develop within the 14 Commandaria Villages on the foothills of Troodos mountain and has acquired the PDI- Protected Designation Indication.
The grapes are harvested late in an effort to have excessive sugar ranges after which are being sundried for 10 to15 days till they change into nearly raisins. The candy nectar then is extracted and goes via the lengthy fermentation course of and after the vinification is over, the wines are being aged in French or USA oak barrels for as much as two years however some new winemakers have been getting old it for as much as 5 years. The alcohol degree is round 15% however some oenologist may fortify them with pure alcohol in an effort to attain a 20% alcohol degree, however this isn’t frequent. The wine retains on getting old within the bottle and has additional 40+ years getting old potentials.
The tasting notes of Commandaria have intense flavors of dried fruits, oak, darkish chocolate, caramel, nuts and honey. It’s suggested to be drunk at 10 – 14 levels Celsius in a snifter or sherry glass. You’ll be able to drink it after dinner or pair it effectively with desserts, Roquefort or any blue vein cheese and chocolate.
A couple of Commandarias to attempt in case you go to Cyprus, but additionally accessible outdoors of Cyprus and on-line could be discovered with totally different vintages and costs:
Tsiakkas Commandaria Wine
Keo St. John Commandaria
Commandaria Alasia
Saint Barnabas Commandaria
Aes Ambelis Commandaria
Commandaria Wine Oenou Yi Ktima Vassiliades
Richard Commandaria
Among the Commandaria wine producers have began a movement to Make Commandaria Grand Once more #makecommandariagrandagain implementing occasions and promotions and making an attempt to persuade restaurant and resort managers and homeowners to incorporate Commandaria of their wine lists and their Digestive Lists. You may also make Cocktails with Commandaria together with Commandaria Fizz, Commandaria Crush, Commandaria Negroni and plenty of extra.
This 12 months, 2024, in an effort to have a good time 800 years of Commandaria, Cyprus in collaboration with the Worldwide Organisation of Vine and Wine -O.I.V. – and the French authorities are planning a particular wine occasion within the framework of the forty fifth World Vine and Wine Congress in October 2024 in Dijon, France. You’ll find extra data HERE.
In the event you wish to study extra about Commandaria you’ll be able to learn a e-book by Antonis Konstantinou – The Legend of COMMANDARIA: 3000 years of winemaking custom. You may also discover data on-line, however in case you go to Cyprus, I extremely advocate that you simply go to the Commandaria Villages the place you’ll be able to style first hand this Beautiful Candy Wine from my island Cyprus.
All the time keep in mind to drink responsibly! Cheers! Στην υγειά σας! ( Stin Igeia sas in Greek).
