Pera Orinis village already claims one winery, Aes Ambelis. Over the last two years a new winery has grown there, by the name Rodothea. Rural in nature, the winery boasts spectacular views of the surrounding valleys and the mountain ranges of Pentadaktylos and Troodos.

The family Tsigarides owns this new property. They are quite new in the winemaking business, only two vintages were produced. They set out to create the winery in 2018, and the first vintages of Xynisteri and Mataro were released in September 2019. Other than Xynisteri and Mataro, they are working with Chardonnay and the reds Lefkada, Mataro and Shiraz.

The inspiration and the force behind this venture is Yiannis, a young member of the Tsigarides family. While tending the family vineyards he set out to make the winery using energy saving resources such as photovoltaic panels.

Rodothea is a fully equipped winery with stainless steel tanks to ferment and store wine, pressers and destemmers as well as a small cellar to store the bottled wine and the wine aged in oak barrels. The winery has a reception and tasting area. If you visit the winery, Yiannis can give you a quick informative tour before you start the wine tasting.

2020 Rodothea Winery, Xynisteri, P.G.I. Nicosia, Abv 12.50%

Sourced from nearby vineyards, this is a lighter version of Xynisteri; after cold maceration, the juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks and has low alcohol by volume. Yiannis believes in fresh, uncomplicated Xynisteri that can be enjoyed anytime even without food. Bright pale yellow colour with green hints at the rim. Aromas of lemon blossom, stone fruit, aromatic herbs and white pepper. On the palate there is salinity, it is light bodied and with moderate acidity, enough to provide the necessary freshness. Citrus, lemony flavours with aromatic herbs. Drink as an aperitif or with fried small fish like bogue, with lemon and tahini dip as well as village salad. €6.50

2020 Rodothea Winery, Chardonnay, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 13%

The fruit is sourced from Paphos; this is a Chardonnay that only a small part is kept in oak for up to six months. Pale yellow colour, astonishingly, the initial aromas are of bananas and baked apples as well yellow apple and notes of tropical fruit. On the palate it is medium bodied, pleasant and soft edged with flavours of bright green and yellow apple as well as green herbs. The finish is surprisingly short and slightly bitter, grapefruit and green apple with white peach, and acid lingering on the palate. This is a wine to drink on its own, or with grilled crab cakes, or citrus dressed chicken and greens salad. €8.90

2020 Rodothea Winery, Rosé, Lefkada, P.G.I. Nicosia, Abv 12.50%

Made from the aromatic local Lefkada grape variety, this rosé has a cherry, light red colour, in fact you think you are about to taste a red wine. The nose is pure red cherry and spice, followed by cola and ripe red plum and an essence of geranium and herbal underneath. On the palate, the wine still has tart cherry fruit and dried strawberry with moderate acidity and a bit of spice. The tannins are evident causing some astringency. Impressively for Lefkadha the alcohol is reasonable which helps to pair with scallops and lightly spiced, red wine reduction sauce or with chicken Provençal. €6.80

2019 Rodothea Winey Mataro, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 13.5%

Like Chardonnay, the Mataro is sourced from Paphos. Bright ruby red in colour, this wine shows expressive notes of fresh black cherries and red berries, raspberries mingled with hints of sweet spice, and floral notes, particularly a reduction of violets. On the palate this juicy and accessible red shows silky texture and has very good freshness reminiscent of Beaujolais. Medium-bodied with good acidity it shows bright fruit flavour or red cherry and plum. Pair it with pork chops or spicy cured meat. You can keep for two to four years but you can enjoy now. €7

2020 Rodothea Winery Shiraz-Lefkadha, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 16%

The blend is Shiraz 75% and Lefkadha 25%, a young vintage that has just been released. This is a bold wine, deep ruby red with violet hues, impossibly dark and full-bodied. The aromas and flavours are dominated by spice, white pepper, while dark cherry, blueberry and plum, sappy herbs and maraschino cherry open up after decanting the wine. The fruit on the palate is framed by firm tannins, still fresh and astringent and lifted by juicy acidity. Try with grilled meats and rich food, it will wrestle with any type of beef or lamb. One more piece of advice, keep it for a couple of more years or more, the wine will express itself better. €8

Rodothea Winery is in Pera Orinis Nicosia. Tel: 22 385544, 99 625692, [email protected]