Enjoy the work of Cypriot winemakers’ award-winning bottles that you won’t find anywhere else

Do you need cracking Cypriot wines to pair with your Christmas lunch, a party-starting fizz for New Year’s Eve, or a thoughtful bottle as a gift? Whether it’s crisp and delicate whites to go with your seafood starter, or full-bodied reds that pair perfectly with meaty mains, we’ve got you covered with great-value wines.

2023 Aes Ambelis Winery, Promara, PGI Pafos, ABV 12.5%

Aes Ambelis is famous for its Morokanella, but this Promara sourced from Polemi village in Paphos, is a uniquely rich and complex wine meticulously produced from the rare Cypriot indigenous variety. No use of oak, it ferments in stainless steel and offers fruity aromas of white peach, melon and wildflowers. In the mouth it is refreshing and fruity with a clean finish, balanced with a mix of fruity aromas and flavours, such as citrus, pear and exotic fruit, leading to a well-balanced finish. Pairs well with seafood and grilled pork or chicken. (€13.50, Tempo)

2022 Dafermou Winery Single Vineyard Assyrtiko, PGI Larnaca, ABV 12.5%

The vineyard is in mountainous Larnaca, the wine is made from 100% Assyrtiko and aged for six months in French oak and acacia barrels, a suitable choice if you want a rich and light wine. Enjoy complex aromas and tastes that unfold in every swirl and sip. Lemony colour offers flavorsome notes of citrus and fruit jam during ageing, with the possibility of ageing up to 10 years. Ideal for fish and seafood hors d’oeuvres especially with seafood pasta (€11, ACM Christophides)

2023 Tethys Rosé, Ma Ma, PGI Lemesos, ABV 13.5%

Andreas Kyprianou’s new venture sees a blend of Maratheftiko 6% and Mavro 40% grape. The team wanted to experiment with oak-aged rosé. A century-old Mavro vineyard gave a minuscule harvest but with extremely healthy and concentrated grapes. Maratheftiko grapes from Omodos were in excellent condition and with the early harvest that the team mostly exercises, they had the perfect grapes for the rosé wine they had envisioned.

Pale and pretty crystal-clear pink with orange undertones. The nose is delicate and fruity with notes of white peach and apricot mixed with candied orange peel and red fruit; strawberries, cherries and plum. There is a floral element of cherry blossoms with a delicate hint of smokiness alongside a slightly nutty character and Mediterranean herbs like thyme and rosemary. The taste is full, fresh and crisp with creamy texture due to the oak ageing and intensifies the sweet character of the wine. It echoes the fruity aroma amplified by citrus zest and sweet spices in cinnamon and cardamom with a distinct rose pistachio delight aftertaste.

The taste pairs with most fish and seafood starters, vegan dishes tapas, and ham dinner at Christmas, as this rosé is such a food-friendly wine. Ham is savoury, salty and slightly sweet, and the cherry, strawberry and citrus flavours provide a refreshing contrast. (€14, Vinocultura)

2020 Ktima Argyrides, Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, PGI Lemesos, ABV 14.5%

Argyrides Winery is a family-owned traditional estate situated at the entrance to the picturesque village of Vasa Kilaniou. The winery has been home to four generations of tradition.

Merlot dominates this blend, approximately 70%, with the remaining Cabernet Sauvignon providing a right-bank Bordeaux kind of blend, all sourced from the family-owned vineyards. It has a deep red colour, rich and pleasant fruity nose with morellos, cherries, dark plum and mulberries combined with violet, vanilla, cinnamon and rose into a complex but sweet whole. A full strong mouth, balanced acidity with fruit perceptibility present and sturdy tannins, pleasant aftertaste with a hint of raisins. The wine is aged for 12 months in French oak.

The pairing of this red blend with grilled meats is always a success, great with roast turkey and my favourite is if you choose something different for your Christmas table try quail stuffed with foie gras (€15, Oenous)

2019 Constantinou Winery Shiraz, PGI Limassol, ABV 14%

Shiraz was always the flagship grape variety of the winery established in 1992 in Pera Pedi, Limassol that also successfully produces Ayioklima from Xynisteri grape. This full-body red is 100% Shiraz from various vineyards in the Krasochoria region and is aged for 12 months in French oak barrels and another 12 months in bottles before its release in the market.

Malolactic fermentation improves the organoleptic part of the wine with tastes of butter. This process can bring the wine into microbial stability and decrease its acidic aspect. It is packed with profound colour, concentration of flavours and velvet elegance. The wine opens rich and bold, suggesting pepper, liquorice, dark chocolate, vanilla and oak spice followed by morello cherry, blackberry, blueberry and candied fruits. The fruit is obvious in the palate, the tannins are supple and round, the intense acidity is perceptible.

Shiraz is a perfect wine to pair with red meat. The tannins can complement the rich flavours of red meat, and the wine’s bold taste can stand up to the intense flavours when it is grilled or roasted. Enjoy with or with slow-cooked lamb shanks. €12

2021 Vlassides Winery Oraman, PGI Limassol, ABV 14.5%

Όroman, in Cypriot, means vision, dream. The cultivation of the vineyards planted with the local variety Giannoudi is especially demanding and 2021 is the last vintage of Oroman that Yiannoudi is blended with Syrah. The result is a wine of remarkable deep red colour with depth and finesse, scents from ripe and dry fruit of the forest, in combination of spicy notes of white pepper, vanilla essence and smoke. Notes of ripe berries, subtle spices, and a lingering finish.

Όroman reveals its full potential when savoured slowly, allowing its nuances to unfold with each sip. Excellent for roast turkey and meat pasta like lasagna, grilled and roast meat. (€15, Oenous)