Commandaria - The Worlds Oldest Wine

Commandaria is acknowledged to be the oldest wine in the world and was probably the first to be given an 'Appellation d’Origin' ( label of geographical origin).

Legend says that Commandaria was originally made for Richard the Lionheart and the Crusaders. This delightful dessert wine, which has a taste not unlike sweet sherry, has been made using the same method for hundreds of years. The grapes are picked late, dried in the sun to enhance their sugar content and then pressed. The run-off is collected and fermented in tanks or in huge earthen ware jars.

The sweet wine of Cyprus became known throughout Europe under the name Commandaria depicting its geographical origin“Commandarie” which was the name given to the land owned by the Knights Templarand later the Knights of St. John.

Cyprus Zivania

The production of Zivania, one of Cyprus’s traditional alcoholic drinks, dates back to the end of the 14th century.

Zivania is produced by distilling pressed grape residues in special stills or cauldrons using a simple, age-old tradition passed proudly from generation to generation in the island’s wine villages. The traditional technique helps to separate ethanol from zivania’s distinctive aromatic ingredients.

Truly a drink for the brave, the alcohol content of this white spirit can range from 40% to 99%. It usually accompanies a good meal such as mezedes or is served with dried fruit and nuts, and is best enjoyed in good company.