Wines of real finesse and interest

An impacted Jancis Robinson, beyond fashion and hype.
JR’s views on the Ultimate CEE Wine Fair in London in June on the FT, well worth a read even as Cyprus is highlighted as invited destination representing the East Mediterranean – what a great opportunity to highlight the freat evolution of lesser known native varieties and milestone as a sector.



“Some very decent dry white from the island’s Xynisteri and Promara grapes. Cypriot red wines of distinction are starting to be made from the local Lefkada and Maratheftiko grapes.
The best Cypriot wine I tasted, however, was of a type that has been made on the island for centuries, the rich, dark, sweet, oak-aged Commandaria”

All in all wines of real finesse and interest, “factors include cool nights in vineyards up to 1,500m above the sea, ungrafted vines because the island is phylloxera-free, and a propitious limestone base in many vineyards” – the very wine quest for Cyprus Wines, priceless distinction.

Congrats to the organizers and participants. 🍷

More information: Published event wine notes on JR.com

A new grape day winewednesday

Fresh new day coming on December 1st – Maratheftiko Day.

You may think…geez…how original!? Well….Grape days may no longer be top of mind, and that’s ok, granted that the concept of grape days has been around for more 40 years, one does have to take things with a certain perspective.

Yet may I ask…Chardonnay Day, who owns that?

Unlike most popular grape days with varieties spread the world across, a Maratheftiko Grape Day has still the opportunity to be claimed locally and emerge as a day for appreciation of something one does own, cherishes and values….and when it does go International…more power to the grape, the growers, the winemakers, the traders and the winelovers. Yia Mas.