NWC – twenty fourth April – Cyprus

Our last ‘tutored’ tasting of the season was from a member who has spent a lot time in Cyprus over time. His ardour for the nation and the area was clear to see and the evolution within the wine trade sounds prefer it has been vital. Many of those wines and grapes have been new to me which is at all times enjoyable!

I’m going to group the glowing and nonetheless rose into one group for brevity. They look like making this model for (British?) vacationers as the normal rose wines are much more darkish in color and don’t attraction to holidaymakers! Anyway these usually had an excessive amount of sweetness for the group, some confectionery notes with pear drops/acetone. Some blood orange and maraschino cherries if I’m being beneficiant.

Tsangarides, Xynisteri, 2022. Xynisteri is claimed to be the most typical white grape in Cyprus additionally know for candy wine as we are going to revisit later. A melding of stone and citrus waft initially however nothing too distinct. Palate is kind of gentle on the entrance, missing a contact of power however with lemon transferring right into a extra savoury lemon verbena within the mid palate. 8 euros on the door, 15 on-line.

Nelion Single Winery Xynisteri, 2022. Apparently utilizing acacia barrels right here though didn’t choose up an excessive amount of infludence. A contact extra floral, jasmine and citrus nostril. Extra tropical fruit on palate, pineapple, grapefruit, tinned peaches. Considerably harking back to Macon model. Good steadiness, mouthwatering and fairly a little bit of weight on the palate. Purchased for 12 euros in Cyprus, can be good worth in UK if it was £15, say.

Vlassides, Grifos 2, 2022. A mix of predominently Xynisteri with round 20% Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauv B dominates with it’s traditional fragrant profile alongside inexperienced apple and gooseberry, contact of hedgerow. Felt just a little missing in depth after the final two wines, however easy and drinkable. Purchased in Cyprus for 9 euros.

Ktima, Gerolemo, Morokanella, 2023. A rarer selection now and an fascinating profile, contact of smoke and white blossom. Some inexperienced notes, minimize grass. Stone fruit on the palate with good depth of stone fruit, apricot and tinned peaches. Fairly a candy end although by the fruit profile fairly than any residual sugar. Fairly highly effective for its 11%. 12 euros in Cyprus.

—

—

Tsangarides, Vasilissa, 2022. One other grape that’s few and much between however indigenous to the nation. Not too giving with its aroma, citrus and inexperienced apple however not notably characterful. Lemon and saline palate with a barely bitter end. Much less opulent than others, easy however good worth at 8 euros regionally.

Vasilikon, Vasilissa, 2022. Initially some rubbery discount which did blow off though I wasn’t satisfied it was completely clear. Fairly an oily mouthfeel right here, lime, lemon zest and stone fruit. Not a mode I take pleasure in however white Rhone people can be completely satisfied. 12 euros in Cyprus.

Makarounas, Spourtiko, 2021. Apparently solely used as a propagator beforehand however now being utilized in blends and this uncommon single varietal bottling. A bit like a dry Riesling nostril, petrol even? Some lime and honey for certain. Extra citrus on the palate, retains the lime of the nostril though just a little candy caramel coming in denoting the 2021 fading barely?

Tsangarides, Chradonnay, 2022. A few Chardonnays to complete and for this I used to be instantly again within the Macon. Oaky however tropical with particular notes of pineapple, guava in addition to lemon curd. All that oak not fairly but built-in on the end. Maybe not a crowd pleaser towards the magnificence of a few of the different wines however you get lots to your 8 euros right here!

Kyperounda, Chradonnay, 2022. If we have been Macon(ish) earlier than this was extra of a Chablis model. The nostril having extra minerality and all citrus fairly than the riper fruit of the Tsangarides. It was a bit full of CO2 and pickly acidity to offer it a correct evaluation because it required extra time within the glass. the supplies have been good and positively felt essentially the most poised and restrained of the whites however much less typical Cypriot. I can see the attraction. 14 euros in Cyprus.

—

—

Nelion, 2Rizes, 2020. Fascinating crimson mix of the native Mavro however principally Carignan and Grenache. A port-y nostril of dried fruits however a little bit of rotting apples, risky acidity and polish too. Gentle however tannic palate, balasmic, cinnamon and just a little cherry. I don’t suppose the bottle was in good situation.

Argyrides, Maratheftiko, 2018. Far more nice mixture of blackcurrant and vanilla with a touch of black pepper. At 6 years it felt the fruit on the palate had misplaced just a little power however retained some dry rustic tannics. Felt like one to drink it its youth and benefit from the fruit however not one for ageing. Would nonetheless be good with the best meals, e.g. BBQ.

Kyperounda, Commandaria, 2004. Essentially the most iconic wine of Cyprus, it even has its personal Wikipedia web page. With references courting again to 800 BC it’s often called the oldest identify wine that we all know. It’s comprised of Xynisteri and Mavro that are dried within the solar earlier than vinifying. This bottle at 20 years had a really dry cork that didn’t cooperate and the wine had taken on fairly a darkish color however it was fairly wonderful. Numerous tertiary flavours and aromas, espresso, fig roll, caramel, brown sugar, molasses. Regardless of this it retained spectacular acidity. By a ways the wine of the evening however most of the whites have been spectacular, particularly at their value factors.

—