"Commandaria" is an amber-colored wine with the aroma of dried fruits. This drink is the history of Cyprus, its spirit, business card and national treasure. It is used for holy communion and is used during the holidays. Cypriots in honor of this alcoholic product even arrange a special holiday. Having sipped a glass with the national, legendary Commandaria wine, you can taste the sunny island of Cyprus.
Commandaria is a complex wine with a rich and huge history. If you were in Cyprus, but did not try this drink, then you should not have come to the resort and could not fully experience its true aura and character.
From the history of wine Commandaria
"Commandaria" - a wine that has the oldest recipe, with documentary evidence. For the first time, sweet Cypriot wine, which was made from grapes dried in the sun, was mentioned in 800 BC in a book by the ancient Greek author Hesiod. Persons like Pliny the Elder, a historian from Rome, Dioscorides, a doctor from Greece, and Sinesius, a Christian theologian, also speak about this drink.
"Commandaria" - wine, which until 1210 was called "Nama." This name was known throughout the Earth. The new name “Commandaria” was acquired after the Knights of the Knights Templar acquired the island from Richard the Lionheart. The Order placed one of its residences near Limassol, a region where Cypriot sweet wine was traditionally prepared . Thanks to this, the product has gained its new name.
Commandaria has long been the main product that Cyprus produced for export. Even today, native Cypriots rarely drink this nectar. Wine enjoyed unprecedented popularity in Europe. Its success was so overwhelming that in 1224 it became the winner of the first wine competition, which was organized by the King of France Philippe. The popularity of the product is also evidenced by the fact that in 1363 in London, nectar was the main alcoholic beverage at the famous feast of the five kings. The Commandaria brand can be found for the first time precisely in the description of this celebration.
At various times, this wine was ennobled with colorful epithets that revealed the essence of alcohol, for example: mythical nectar, wine of kings and even Cleopatra's kiss.
Spread around the world
Wine "Commandaria", a photo of which can be seen in our story, began its march on the planet after Cyprus was sold to the Templars. The Knights Templar in company with the Knights of the Order of St. John began to offer a drink to the states in Western Europe, as they maintained friendly relations with them.
The historian Ludolf Von Zuchen wrote that the manufacture of the Commandaria by the crusaders was the basis of their prosperity and financial well-being during their stay in Cyprus. Giovanni Mariti several centuries later told that the main export of this wine was carried out by the Venetians.
After the Commandaria won the competition of King Philip, many countries wanted to learn how to make wine, and also tried to plant Cypriot grapes on their lands. Succeeded in this matter Portugal. Madeira grapes were planted on its island. Later, wine of the same name began to be produced on this territory, which is also popular all over the world today.
Production of Commandaria decreased significantly during the reign of the Ottomans. Some vineyards, due to the incredibly high taxes that were imposed on winemakers, were completely empty. But Cypriot gold was able to overcome all this and survive to this day.
General information about Commandaria
"Commandaria" is a wine with one beautiful legend. The son of Roksalana, who agreed to her, the Turkish sultan Selim II loved the strong drinks so much that for the sake of this wine he conquered the whole island of Cyprus. There is an opinion that it is Commandaria that is the progenitor of port wine, Madeira and Marsala.
The wine region was designated on the second of March 1990. It included 14 villages located on the southern slope of Mount Troodos. The true genuine Commandaria can only be made from vines that are more than four years old.
Winemakers do not divide the Commandaria drink into species. But wines of various brands can significantly differ from each other in strength, taste, aroma and shade. The strength of the product can vary in the range of 10-20%, but, as a rule, it is 15%.
They make such wine and large wineries, and small home wineries in a particular region. The most popular brands are LOEL, ETKO, SODAP and KEO.
Secrets of making a drink
Commandaria is a wine whose production secrets lie in the following: only two varieties of Cypriot grapes are used to make the drink - red mavro or white xinisteri. Wine is made extremely rarely from one Xinisteri. Berries should be ripened on the vine, only after that they are picked and dried additionally in the sun. After this, juice is squeezed out of the fruits.
Then in the vats the wine is fermented, it is poured into oak barrels. In them, the product can withstand two to four years. Of particular value is the unfastened Commandaria. But in some cases, for strength, grape alcohol can be added to the product.
How and with what they use Commandaria
"Commandaria" is the wine of kings, and therefore it must be consumed in a special way. If you drink it as an aperitif, then you need to add some ice to the drink. In any other case, nectar is consumed chilled. Its temperature should reach 8-14 degrees. If the product is made only from xinisteri grapes, then it should be colder. If the drink was prepared from two types of grapes, then it should be warmer.
Serve "Commandaria" made in glasses intended for dessert wine. You can also pour it into Madeira glasses. But in some cases, such a drink is poured into the Bordeaux glasses used for white wine.
Best Cypriot wine goes with coffee and various desserts. But the Kings drink is especially exquisite in harmony with chocolate ice cream, fruit pies and candied fruits. And with the Cypriot traditional fried halumi cheese, alcohol forms a particularly interesting composition.
Making any cocktails from Commandaria is not accepted and is considered bad form.
Appearance and taste
Wine "Commandaria" (Cyprus) may have its own characteristics, depending on the year of production. For example, the conditions under which the grapes have ripened affect the shade and aroma of the drink. Sommeliers claim that a glass of such wine may have the smell of dried plums, honey, raisins, or cloves, currants, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, and figs. The hue can be dark amber, light brown with reddish highlights or golden.
The taste of the product is intensely sweet, it almost does not feel sour and it is perfectly balanced with alcohol. The aftertaste of the drink is long and rich; chords of dried figs and nuts are felt in it. The properties of this wine allow people of any age to consume it, and therefore the Commandaria is often used for communion.
Wine Celebration
The Cypriot wine "Commandaria" is so beloved and popular that every year a chic feast is held in his honor. Feasts are held in the wineries of the Curris Valley. If you want to attend the celebration, then you should go to one of the following villages: Monagri, Agios, Lania, Alassa, Siliku, Doros or Georgios. In these villages, such a holiday marks the beginning of the grape harvest.
The event begins on July 21 and continues until the 26th of the same month. Every evening, the celebration goes to the new settlement of the mountain valley. During this period, a variety of concert programs are organized in the open air, as well as a film festival. Thus, people can have fun, drink and eat at the same time. During the feast, "Commandaria" pours river, and people in the streets sat dancing traditional dances.
Museum of Great Wine
Some wines are made only in a strictly defined area. In 14 regions of Cyprus it is allowed to produce exclusively the Commandaria drink. Wine "Bordeaux" is made only in the French province of the same name. Accordingly, museums dedicated to the most popular brands are opened in the same territories. This happened with the Commandaria nectar.
In the village of Zoopigi, a whole Museum of Commandaria was established. This village is located in the center of the region specializing in the preparation of wine. They built a landmark around the old winery, opened in 1940 and functioning to this day. The museum is a fairly young object, since it was founded only in 2010.
The exhibits of the museum occupied four galleries, which are placed in chronological order. They show all periods of development of the region and wine: from ancient amphoras to modern photographs. In Zoopigi there is also an extraordinary winery where you can buy antique wine in its original packaging.
Finally
Cyprus wine "Commandaria" reviews are incredibly good. Many people say that they went to Cyprus just for the sake of this drink. After all, you need to try it at least once in a lifetime. Most gourmets compare it with a medicine, because it invigorates and fills a person with energy.
Since the wine is completely natural and does not contain alcohol, it is also given to children in minimal portions. According to people who have tried it, it will not do any harm to the child.