Cyprus Wine a bit of history and the Mavro grape

Aussie


Joined: 17/06/2007
Posts: 657

Message Posted:
16/11/2008 23:53

Good reading for those interested in the Islands wine and its history



CYPRUS GOURMET: “The Curse of the Mavro”





http://www.financialmirror.com/Columnist/COMMENT/166



Aussie

rsalih


Joined: 01/11/2008
Posts: 306

Message Posted:
17/11/2008 06:16

did you know mavro means black in greek.....

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/11/2008 07:57

No surprise that they are called Mavro then... they do look more black than red.



Aussie thanks for an interesting article link...

Aussie


Joined: 17/06/2007
Posts: 657

Message Posted:
17/11/2008 13:57

There is also another link from this about when they used to pump bulk wine onto ships via pipes in Limossol and one shipment was sold to the french to blend with their own wines.



"For many years French winemakers used to import in bulk huge quantities of soft, fruity, low-acid wine from Algeria (and Morocco, too), which they then blended with their own wine, which was much sharper and high acid. The results, which happened to be very acceptable blended wine, were sold both in France and export markets (notably Britain), with Appellation Controllée labels. Very soon after this incident, the European Commission and the governments got legally tough and the practice was stopped."





http://www.financialmirror.com/Columnist/COMMENT/73



Aussie

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
30/11/2008 21:13

Love a drop of Commandaria. Perfect finish to a meal and even good chilled as an aperetif. I used to think aperetif was slang for falsers.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
30/11/2008 22:42

Also good for dipsomaniacs!

PtePike



Joined: 20/05/2008
Posts: 2334

Message Posted:
30/11/2008 22:46

And I was only kidding about "a drop". The bottle's usually half-empty by the time I waddle off for a spot of self-loathing and remorse.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/12/2008 07:15

Must happen a lot! ;¬)

Turbo


Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 833

Message Posted:
01/12/2008 09:25

PtePike Commandaria being a nice sherry,apperatif, wine or cordial whatever it is classed under is great but I cant see anyone drinking more than a glass or two , it is so sweet and oh boy the hangover is a killer...