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Latest vintage Cyprus wines

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Winemaking is a fascinating and complex transformation process of a raw plant material. It starts with the arrival of the harvest at the cellar and ends with active and decisive fermentation steps. After this, for some wines, comes the long ageing period, during which the bouquet and taste of the wine are developed and refined. For others, not much ageing is needed and they are ready to be enjoyed. Let us taste some from Cyprus.

 

Tsangarides

Tsangarides is one of Cyprus’ leading wineries for the production of Organic wines. The vineyards and winery are located in Lemona village where exceptional terroir is combined with meticulous vineyard management and winemaking.

2020 Tsangarides Winery, Vasilissa, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 13%

The new arrival is brilliant, light yellow in colour with greenish tints. One month in new oak is enough to have an aromatic and expressive wine. Strong and lively nose with hints of rose petal, other floral aromas, sweet spices and vanilla, melon, lychee with a note of honeysuckle and a bit of flint. It is fun to smell but it tasted good as well. A richly textured wine with superb length and balance. Classy with long finish and persistent aromas. The wine pairs well with green salads, baked vegetables, low-fat fish and a wide variety of sea food. Thumbs up for the first vintage. €11

2020 Tsangarides Winery, Xynisteri, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 12%

In the glass a yellow straw colour with greenish rim, clean, bright and very attractive. The nose is full of potential with aromas of medium-to-high intensity and some aromas of dry grass coming through. The aromas are reminiscent of tropical fruits (papaya and pineapple) and a floral lift with herbaceous, aniseed and menthol overtones. Tsangarides Xynisteri has an elegant and very rich palate, fleshy and well structured. A fresh and acidic mid-palate highlights its subtle varietal character enhanced by some fruity notes. The finish provides an intense and elegant bitterness. Excellent with green salads dressed in vinaigrette, seafood, fried fish or baked with olives and tomatoes. €6

2020 Tsangarides Winery Chardonnay Organic, P.G.I. Pafos Abv %

Like Vasilissa, a single vineyard from Leivadi in Lemona. Medium straw in colour. A vibrant, incisive bouquet on the nose evokes heady aromas of lemon tart and ripe pear, which combine effortlessly with rich notes of toasted almond and wildflowers, with a hint of iodine emerging as the wine opens up. In the mouth clarity and depth on the palate, quince, orchard fruit and citrus dominate giving way to mealy yeasty notes and a rich, creamy finish. A lively, fresh acidity imparts excellent structure and length. Deftly combines power and energy and finishes very long, with resonating mineral and floral notes. It pairs nicely with dishes containing dairy products, including creamy pasta sauces and cheese, roast chicken, pan-seared salmon with citrus butter, swordfish with lemon and capers, and chicken potpie and also grill prawns, salmon or chicken. The acidity and citrus flavours in several of these wines will also stand up to a dish like scallop ceviche. €9

 

www.tsangarideswinery.com, Lemona, Tel: 26 722777

 

Vouni Panayias Winery

For more than 34 years the Vouni Panayias winery has continually elevated oenology in Panayia village, Paphos. Here the essence of Vouni’s escarpment can be both seen – in the unforgettable landscape of undulating vineyards – and tasted in the wines that reflect this unique growing area in Cyprus.

It started with brothers Andreas and Rogiros and their cousin Andreas Kokkinos. The younger generation is now running the place with Andreas’ sons Yiannis, Pavlos (both graduates from Florence Agricultural University as Oenologists and Ampelologists) and Petros assisted occasionally by their cousins. Now you know where the experience comes from. Production has grown from 8,000 bottles in 1987 when they started to 200,000 now.

 

2019 Vouni Panayias Winery Alina, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv

Alina is a female name of Greek origin that means light. And this, one of the best known Xynisteris in the region, is certainly light. The vineyards are located on the southwestern part of the Vouni Panayia plateau. The 2019 holds very well, herby and citrusy. Straw-coloured with greenish shades, this wine combines a distinctive flowery and white fruit aroma with a dry, harmonic and perfectly balanced flavour and a pleasantly bitter and lemony aftertaste. Crisp and refreshing, it has a light to medium body. Equally satisfying as an aperitif or with Cyprus meze, your favourite fish and grilled chicken with herbs. €8

2019 Vouni Panayias Winery Spourtiko, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 12%

Another indigenous variety. A light white with comparatively low alcohol. Brilliant, crystal-clear, white-yellow colour with green reflections. Intense floral, citrus blossoms and fruity bouquet dominate aromas of white rose, melon and citrus. A well-balanced and fresh wine with intense flavour and good aromatic aftertaste with notes of orange blossom and grapefruit. Great for lunch, light meals, as an aperitif, with green salads and light fish dishes. €12

2018 Vouni Panayias Winery Promara, P.G.I. Pafos, Abv 12.0%

Promara, gradually, is becoming my favourite local grape variety. It is a long forgotten white grape variety indigenous to Cyprus, and the first Cypriot grape variety to ripen every year, hence its name. Promara loves oak and the 2018 vintage still tastes fresh. It has a pale-yellow hue with an array of aromas of light mixed fruit and a few herbal notes. Lemons, pears and dried mango compete on the nose while the mouth is citrusy and with a touch of stone fruit. The palate is balanced with crisp refreshing acidity and a lingering finish. The wine is friendly and gentle with some soft mineral notes at the end. This is a flexible wine with food, in part because it suits so much of today’s Mediterranean influenced cooking. Try with vegetarian moussaka, fish risotto, grilled swordfish or with some oriental dishes like chicken with cashew nuts. €17

 

www.vounipanayiawinery.com, 60 Archbishop Makarios Avenue, Panayia, Paphos. Tel: 26 722770

 

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