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- Aine - 09-08-2001
I'm looking for a place to buy a 1947 Vintage Commanderie St. John Cyprus Grape Wine Imported by Attiki Importers Hempstead, N.Y.
- Drew - 09-08-2001
Couldn't find any sources for your wine but out of curiosity searched for background and below is what I found....very interesting!
Commandaria is the oldest "appelation d'origine" wine in the world. The Cypriot Nama drunk by Gods and mortals ever since Aphrodite's time was tasted by the Crusaders in the 12th Century.
The King of France crowned it the "Apostle of Wines" in 1223 after wine testing more than 100 wines from all over the world. This wine soon became famous all over Europe as "Commandaria" from the name of the area where it was produced. The Templars built the Kolossi castle and in 1210 the Knights of the Order of St. John came to Cyprus taking an estate near by establishing their chief headquarters known as the "Grande Commanderie". The lands controlled by the Templars and the Knights of St. John were the richest of the Island, yielding sugar cane, cotton and grapes, which were used by the people to produce the rich sweet wine which was distinctive to Cyprus. In 1307 the Knights of St. John became masters of the whole area around Kolossi, and the wine became "Vin de la Commanderie".
Ever since the name of the area has been associated with this wine, and even in its method of production has been maintained to the present day. Perhaps it would not be an exaggeration to say that, today, the medthod of making Commandaria is very similar to the one mentioned by Hesiod 2000 years before the Crusaders. "The celebrated Greek poet, writing soon after Homer's time in "Works and Days" describes to his brother Perses how a special sweet wine is made..."
"When Orion and Sirius come into mid-heaven and rosy fingered Dawn sees Arcturus, cut off the grape-clusters and bring them home. Show them to the sun ten days and then nights, then cover them over for five and on the sixth day draw off into vessels the gifts of joyful Dionysos"
Drew
- wondersofwine - 09-10-2001
Thanks for the detective work, Drew. I have enjoyed a sweet white wine from Cyprus called Saint Panteleimon. First came across it in a Greek restaurant here in Fayetteville.