📍 Limassol

Limassol is a coastal district in the south of Cyprus, around the city of the same name, with the southern slopes of the Troodos mountains. It is part of Cypriot winemaking. Most of the island's vineyards are concentrated in the Limassol area, and many villages keep winemaking traditions.

The climate is Mediterranean, but vineyards lie at 500 to 1,500 metres, so nights are cool and the wines fresh. Soils are stony, limestone and volcanic rock.

The main grapes are local: Xynisteri (white), Mavro (red) and Maratheftiko (red). Xynisteri gives light, fresh wines with citrus acidity, Mavro simple reds. The district's best-known wine is Commandaria, a sweet dessert wine from sun-dried Xynisteri and Mavro berries. It is one of the oldest wines in the world, and its name is protected.

In the “wine villages of Limassol” one can visit small wineries, cellars and tastings. Paphos lies to the west and Larnaca to the east, and other wine villages lie in the Troodos mountains. Xynisteri is served chilled with fish, meze and salads, and Commandaria with desserts and cheese.