🍇 Xynisteri
A white grape of Cyprus; with the red Mavro, one of the two grapes of sweet Commandaria from 14 villages north of Limassol.
Xynisteri is a white grape from Cyprus that the VIVC catalogue lists as both a wine and a table variety. Its best-known wine is Commandaria, a sweet wine from sun-dried grapes. According to the appellation's technical file, it is made from only two varieties: Xynisteri and the red Mavro.
Among the 23 synonyms in VIVC are Aspro Kyprou, meaning "Cypriot white", Local white and Lefko Kyprou. The parents of Xynisteri are unknown. Several new varieties and rootstocks bred by crossing do descend from it, though, including the Cypriot Akitsis.
Commandaria is made in 14 villages north of Limassol, on the southern slopes of the Troodos. According to the Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO, the vineyards here lie at 400–900 m and are not irrigated: the vines live on rainwater alone. After the harvest the grapes are dried in the sun for several days; historical sources mention 8 to 15 days. By law the sweet wine is aged in oak for at least two years.
In 2021 the Commandaria tradition was added to Cyprus's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. And in 2008 the villages of the region first made a wine from sun-dried grapes without added alcohol.
Why it matters to you. The word Commandaria on a bottle means a wine from Xynisteri, Mavro or both, from these 14 villages. Dry white wines from Xynisteri are served like most whites, at 4–10 °C. A grape named on an EU wine label means at least 85 % of that grape.
Facts
| Country | Cyprus |
|---|---|
| Region | Cyprus: Commandaria (14 villages near Limassol) |
| Main use | wine and table grape |
How it connects to Wine
🍇 Xynisteri → kind of → 🍇 Grape varieties → kind of → 🍷 Wine
Links
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Cypriots
- Part of
- 🍇 Grape varieties
- Origin
- 🗺️ Cypriot wine
- Where it grows
- 📍 Limassol, 📍 Krasochoria Lemesou, 🍷 Commandaria, 📍 Paphos, 📍 Laona Akamas, 📍 Vouni Panagias-Ambelitis, 📍 Nicosia (Pitsilia), 📍 Larnaca
- Main grape in
- 📍 Krasochoria Lemesou, 📜 Vouni Panagias – Ampelitis, 📍 Laona Akamas, 📍 Paphos, 📜 Krasochoria Lemesou – Laona, 📍 Nicosia (Pitsilia)
- Wines made from it
- 🍷 Commandaria
- Related to
- 🥃 Zivania
- Similar and different
- 🍇 Mavro, 🍇 Maratheftiko
Frequently asked questions
Where does Xynisteri come from?
From Cyprus; one of its synonyms is Aspro Kyprou, "Cypriot white" (VIVC).
Is it true that Commandaria is made only from the red Mavro?
No. The file allows two grapes: the white Xynisteri and the red Mavro.
How is Commandaria made?
The grapes are dried in the sun, and the sweet wine is aged in oak for at least two years.
Where are the grapes for Commandaria grown?
In 14 villages north of Limassol, at 400–900 m, without irrigation.
Is Xynisteri eaten fresh?
Yes, VIVC lists it as both a wine and a table grape.
What to read next
- 🗺️ Cypriot wine — The country's wine and winemaking: regions, grapes and appellations.
- 📍 Krasochoria Lemesou — Mountain "wine villages" around Omodos.
- 🥃 Zivania — Cypriot grape marc spirit, EU GI «Zivania» (category 6): a single simple distillation, no flavouring, 43–52% ABV. Cyprus's answer to grappa.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Cypriots — The Greek and Turkish communities of the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean; their shared famous cheese is halloumi for grilling.
- 📍 Vouni Panagias-Ambelitis — A high mountain area near Kykkos Monastery.
Similar
🍇 Mavro · 🍇 Maratheftiko · 🍇 Scuppernong · 🍇 Vitis amurensis · 🍇 Koshu · 🍇 Ruby Roman
Sources
- eAmbrosia — technical file: PDO «Κουμανδαρία / Commandaria» (Ares(2011)1411814)
- VIVC (Vitis International Variety Catalogue): passport Xynisteri
- Cyprus National Commission for UNESCO: Commandaria and the Wine Traditions of the Commandaria Villages
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/33 (grape varieties on labels)
- Simons C.T. Left out in the cold: Serving wines chilled. Temperature, 2019