Cyprus — wine

Commandaria Wine Region

One of the world's oldest named wines still in production — Commandaria has been made from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes in the foothills of the Troodos Mountains since at least 800 BCE. The sweet, amber-hued wine achieves extraordinary dried fruit, honey, and caramel complexity from sun-dried grapes fermented and aged in traditional pithari clay vessels or oak barrels. Richard the Lionheart called it 'wine of kings' at the Crusader period's height.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Good Troodos harvest; sun-drying delivered concentrated Commandaria base
2022 Outstanding Cypriot year; ETKO Centurion achieved exceptional honey depth
2021 Good conditions; balanced sun-drying concentration across Xynisteri and Mavro
2020 Hot Mediterranean summer; intense sun-drying for concentrated Commandaria
2019 Benchmark Cyprus vintage; Commandaria's ancient traditions celebrated
2018 Warm Troodos season; full-bodied Commandaria with exceptional dried fruit
2017 Variable; sun-drying conditions managed by experienced village producers