Introducing the Kyperounda Petritis 2015, Cyprus

Picking a wine to write about is a tough job. We’ve spent six months sourcing our wine list so, as biased as we may be, choosing the best of the best was never going to be easy.

However, we only have one wine from Cyprus. A unique, premium take on the grape variety Xynisteri. Kyperounda Petritis 2015 is loaded with citrus, gooseberries and candied lime with an elegant touch of smooth vanilla on the finish. It’s a marvel with or without food – although it’s star power alongside Haddock.

The producer: Kyperounda Winery

Kyperounda is probably the best known and reputed winery in Cyprus. In 2013, Jancis Robinson echoed her colleague Julia Harding when she wrote: ‘Kyperounda is one of the small group of more forward-thinking wine producers on this island”. The winery is cooperatively owned and manages 12 hectares of vineyards. However, they also buy in a large quantity of grapes from other growers on the island.

The winery is located in an idyllic location, high up in the Pitsilia area of the Troodos range. In the winery good investment means they use the latest technology. Although this innovative approach is combined with classic methods as well. In fact, Kyperounda’s cellar holds 250 225l oak barrels, used to develop flavour and mature the wines.

Buy a bottle of Kyperounda Petritis 2015 and try it for yourself.

The grape variety: Xynisteri

Covering around 13% of all Cypriot vineyards is the Xynisteri. The variety is indigenous to Cyprus, predominantly grown on the south slopes of the Troodos mountains. It’s prominent position geographically makes it one of Cyprus’ most sought-after varieties. While it is mainly used to make white wines, Xynisteri is also blended with Mavro to make the sweet wine Commandaria. Some Xynisteri also goes into production of spirits.