Commandaria

In eastern Commandaria, rocky volcanic slopes can be steep enough to need terraces. The region's villages lie north of Limassol. The wine uses only the grapes Xynisteri and Local Mavro. They are picked late, dried in the sun to concentrate their sugar, then pressed and fermented in tanks or large earthenware jars. Oak ageing is traditional. Commandaria can have honey, raisin, walnut, fig, carob, cinnamon, coffee and caramel flavours. The usual style blends both grapes; Mavro-only versions are also made. Its EU protected designation of origin requires the wine to come from the demarcated villages.