Wine in the 18th c.

Wines were produced in several regions of the island and, according to many writers, both past and present, they were famous all over the world (!) since ancient times. Based on a relevant reference in the Old Testament, Archim. Kyprianos says that King Solomon took vines from Cyprus and planted them in his gardens. He also states that, in 1490, King João II of Portugal got vines from Cyprus and planted them in Madeira, where famous wines were also made (and are still made today)

Special reference is made to commandaria; Archim. Kyprianos notes that, before commandaria wine is formed, when the liquid is still in the form of must, it is black in colour and very sweet. Gradually, the black colour turns into a light yellowish-brown ('alectron'), the sweetness subsides and the taste becomes milder. After a number of years, commandaria has a fine aroma, it turns white in colour and is described as ‘perfect'.

If commandaria is left for many years to age, the percentage of alcohol content increases so much that it could catch fire just like oil.

Some other types of wine, produced in large quantities in the 18th century were: red wine, which was the standard wine consumed at the time, and rosé wine which had a lower alcohol content and was used to produce raki (we assume that this is probably the well-known zivania) (Archim. Kyprianos, 1788).