By Katerina Georgiou

Lying in the eastern Mediterranean, at the crossroads of Europe, Africa and Asia, Cyprus is an island that has seen its fair share of red. I’m not referring to its turbulent past but, rather, its ability to inspire the heart. After all, it’s the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. And in Roman times, Mark Anthony gifted it to Cleopatra - a token of his devotion. Now, its warm climate and fertile terrain are beckoning a new generation of suitors: wine lovers from around the world.

To introduce Cyprus’ latest wines, The Cyprus Embassy Trade Center, in collaboration with the Cyprus-US Chamber of Commerce, held recently a tasting event at the Helen Mills Event Space in Manhattan. Attendees sampled a variety of wines from Cyprus (including kosher varieties), paired with traditional delicacies prepared by Chef David Ogren of Ammos Restaurant.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg attended, addressing the crowd of business leaders and wine aficionados.
Until recently, it was believed that Cyprus’ long history of wine production dated back to at least 1,000 B.C. But archeological discoveries of uniquely Cypriot wine-drinking objects -- including centuries-old jugs and drinking horn pottery – now suggest that Cyprus was the first producer of wine in the Mediterranean more than 6,000 years ago.

Many of its wines still adhere to the same ancient production methods and coupled with the island’s approximately fifteen indigenous grape varieties, the results are distinctly Cypriot in character.

Its most famous, Commandaria, holds the distinction of being the world’s oldest named wine still in production. An amber-colored dessert wine, it’s made exclusively from a blend of red and white grapes endemic to Cyprus -- the Mavro and Xynisteri respectively. The other most common grape varieties in Cyprus include: Ofthalmo and Maratheftiko or Vamvakada.

The Maratheftiko/ Vamvakada is a rare and densely concentrated variety found in the regions of Paphos and Pitsilia. Known for their intense color and full-bodied, fruity aromas of cherries and blackberries, Maratheftiko are also among the only non-hermaphroditic vines in the world; their female buds are planted in mixed vineyards to ensure pollination.

Notably, Cyprus is one of the only wine-producing countries in Europe not affected by phylloxera – a late 19th century disease that destroyed most of the vineyards for wine grapes. As such, their wines come from self-sown plants, with classic and distinct tastes, that offer a fresh alternative to varietals that have traditionally dominated the market.

This holiday season -- whether it’s red or white -- the wide-ranging tastes and value of Cypriot wines are sure to give (wine) lovers another reason to celebrate.