Commandaria is a sweet dessert wine from Cyprus made from Mavro and Xynisteri grapes. It has an alcohol content of around 15% and can be fortified up to 20%.
How it is made
Commandaria is produced from grapes grown in 14 villages at the foot of the Troodos Mountains, about 30 km north of Limassol. The wine is made from either black Mavro grapes, white Xynisteri grapes, or a blend of both. The grapes are sun-dried before fermentation, and the wine is aged for at least 2 years in oak barrels, typically using a system similar to the Spanish solera method called 'mana'.
History
The production of sweet wine from sun-dried grapes in Cyprus dates back to the 8th century BC. Originally called 'nama', it was later named after the 'Grand Commandery' established by the Knights Hospitaller in 1210. Commandaria was highly valued in medieval Europe, enjoyed by royalty including Richard the Lionheart at his wedding in 1191. Its popularity is documented in medieval works like the French poem 'The Battle of the Wines' and the 'Feast of Five Kings' in London in 1362.
Types and styles
Commandaria ranges in color from red-brick to bright yellow, depending on whether white or black grapes are used. Young white Commandaria has an amber color that darkens with age. The wine has a long pleasant finish with notes of southern fruits, nuts, and spices, and a distinct honey aroma. The most refined and expensive varieties are made exclusively from Xynisteri grapes.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Коммандария, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.