A quality wine area(PDO) on the island of Cyprus within the southern part of the island (the Greek Republic of Cyprus) in the Mediterranean. This is where the famous sweet wine Commandaria (Koumandaria, Commanderia, Coumadarka, Κουμανδαρία) is produced, which is one of the oldest wines in the world. Based on archaeological excavations, its history dates back to around 3500 BC. In the 8th century BC, the Greek poet Hesiod (~750-680 BC) described a sweet wine called Mana. The translation of "mana" is "mother", which refers to the production process similar to the solera process for sherry.

In 734 BC, Hesiod describes the grape harvest and the production of the wine as follows: "When Orion and the star of the dog (Sirius) move to the centre of the firmament, then cut the grapes and lay them in the sun for ten days and nights (to dry). Then store them in the shade for another five days and put them in jars on the sixth day. Then it becomes wine as a gift from Dionysus (the god of wine)". The English king Richard the Lionheart (1157-1199) conquered the island of Cyprus in 1191 during the Third Crusade. At his wedding to Berengaria (1165-1230), a sweet wine was served that is considered the forerunner of Commandaria and was expressly praised by the king.

Order of St John

A few years later, the Order of St John (Knights of St John of Jerusalem) settled on the island and began to perfect the production of the sweet wine "Nama". Their...