Kommandaria - the wine of kings

"Kommandariya" is an amberish wine with an aroma of dried fruits. This drink is the history of Cyprus, its spirit, business card and national treasure. It is used for the reception of the holy communion and is used during the holidays. Cypriots in honor of this alcohol product even arrange a special holiday. Sipping a glass with 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 in vain came to the resort and were not able to fully experience its true aura and character.

From the history of Commandaria wine

"Kommandaria" is a wine that has the oldest recipe, which has documentary confirmation. For the first time about the sweet Cypriot wine, which was prepared from grapes, dried in the sun, is mentioned in 800 BC before the era of the ancient Greek author Hesiod. This drink is also spoken by such personalities as Pliny the Elder - a historian from Rome, Dioscorides - a doctor from Greece and Sinezi - a Christian theologian.

"Commandaria" - wine, which until 1210 was called "Nam". This name was known throughout the Earth. The new name "Commandaria" a drink found after the Knights of the Order of the Templars purchased 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 acquired its new name.

"Commandaria" for a long time was the main product that Cyprus produced for export. Even today, indigenous Cypriots rarely drink this nectar. The wine was in Europe unprecedented popularity. His success was so overwhelming that in 1224 it was the winner of the first wine competition, which was arranged by King Philip of France. The popularity of the product is also evidenced by the fact that in 1363 in London nectar was the main alcoholic drink at the famous feast of the five kings. The brand "Commandaria" for the first time can be found precisely in the description of this celebration.

This wine at various times ennobled with colorful epithets that revealed the whole essence of alcohol, for example: mythical nectar, wine of kings and even a kiss of Cleopatra.

Distribution around the world

The "Commandaria" wine, a photo of which can be seen in our story, began its march on the planet after Cyprus was sold to the Templars. Knights Templars 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.

Historian Ludolf Von Suchen wrote that the production of "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 Venetians were the main export of this wine.

After the "Commandaria" won the contest of King Philip, many countries wanted to learn the technique of making wine, and also tried to plant Cypriot grapes on their lands. Portugal has succeeded in this matter. On her island of Madeira and was planted grapes. Later on this territory they began to produce the wine of the same name, also popular today in the whole world.

Production "Commandaria" at times decreased during the reign of the Ottomans. Some vineyards, because of the incredibly high taxes that were imposed on the winemakers, were completely emptied. But Cyprus gold could overcome all this and survive to this day.

General information about the "Commandaria"

"Kommandaria" is a wine that has one beautiful legend. Roxalana's son, the Turkish Sultan Selim II, was so fond of hot drinks that she won the whole island of Cyprus for this wine. There is an opinion that it is the "Commandaria" who is the ancestor of port, Madera and Marsala.

The wine region was designated on March 2, 1990. It included 14 villages located on the southern slope of Mount Troodos. True genuine "Commandaria" can be produced only here from vines, whose age exceeds four years.

Winemakers do not share the Commandaria drink on the species. But the faults of different brands can differ greatly in strength, taste, aroma and color. The strength of the product can vary in the range of 10-20%, but, as a rule, it is 15%.

They produce 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" - wine, the secrets of production are the following: only two varieties of Cypriot grapes are used for making the drink - red mavro or white xynisteri. From one xynisteri wine is made extremely rarely. The berries should be sown in the bud, only after that they are collected and further dried in the sun. Already after that, the juice is squeezed out of the fruit.

Then in the vats the wine is fermented, it is poured into oak barrels. They last for two to four years. Of particular value is the unfastened "Commandaria". But in some cases, grape alcohol may be added to the product for the product.

How and with what use "Commandaria"

"Commandaria" is the wine of kings, and therefore it is necessary to use it in a special way. If you drink it as an aperitif, then to the drink you need to give a little ice. In any other case, the nectar is used in a chilled form. Its temperature should reach 8-14 degrees. If the product is made only from xynisteri grapes, then it should be colder. If the drink is made from two kinds of grapes, then it should be warmer.

Serve "Commandaria" is accepted in glasses intended for dessert wine. You can also pour it into Madera glasses. But in some cases, this drink is also poured into Bordeaux glasses used for white wine.

Best Cypriot wine is suitable for coffee and various desserts. But especially refined the drink of kings is in harmony with chocolate ice cream, fruit pies and candied fruits. And with Cypriot traditional fried cheese halumi alcohol forms a particularly interesting composition.

Do any cocktails from the "Commandaria" is not accepted and is considered a bad form.

Appearance and taste

Depending on the year of production, the Kommandaria wine (Cyprus) may have its own characteristics. For example, the conditions under which ripened grapes, affect the flavor and flavor of the drink. Sommelier argue that a glass of this wine can have the smell of dried plum, honey, raisins, or cloves, currants, vanilla, oak, cinnamon, figs. The shade can be dark amber, light brown with patches of reddish tones or golden.

The taste of the product is intensely sweet, it almost does not feel acidity and it is perfectly balanced with alcohol. The aftertaste of the drink is long and rich, it feels chords of dried figs and nuts. The properties of this wine allow it to be used by people of any age, and therefore the "Commandaria" are often used for communion.

A feast in honor of wine

The Cyprus wine "Commandaria" is so loved and popular that in its honor every year a chic holiday is arranged. Feasts take place in the wineries of the Curris Valley. If you want to attend the celebration, you should go to one of the following villages: Monagri, Agios, Lania, Alassa, Siliku, Doros or Georgios. In these villages celebrate the beginning of harvesting of the grape harvest.

The event begins on July 21 and continues until the 26th of the same month. Every evening, the celebration passes to a new settlement in the mountain valley. During this period, under the open sky, various concert programs are organized, as well as a film festival. Thus, people can simultaneously entertain, drink and eat. During the feast, "Commandaria" flows like a river, and the people on the streets sit dancing traditional dances.

Museum of the Great Guilt

Some wines are made only in a strictly defined area. In 14 regions of Cyprus it is allowed to produce exclusively the drink "Commandaria". Wine "Bordeaux" is also made only in the French province of the same name. Accordingly, museums dedicated to the most popular brands are also being opened in these same territories. So it happened with the nectar "Commandaria".

In the village of Zoopigi, a whole museum of the Commandaria was established. This settlement is located in the center of the region, specializing in the preparation of wine. They built a landmark around an ancient winery, which was opened in 1940 and is still functioning today. The museum is a fairly young object, as it was founded only in 2010.

Exhibits of the museum were occupied by four galleries, which are placed in chronological order. They represent 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 the original packaging.

Finally

Cyprus wine "Kommandaria" reviews are incredibly good. Many people say that they went to Cyprus only for the sake of this drink. After all, you should try it at least once in your life. The majority of gourmets compare it with medicine, as it invigorates and fills the person with energy.

Since the wine is completely natural and does not contain alcohol, it is also given to children in minimum portions. According to people who tried it, it will not do any harm to the child.