Stunning hillside setting reflected in the glass
For more than 40 years the Vouni Panayias winery has continually elevated winemaking in Panayia village, Paphos. The unforgettable landscape of undulating vineyards can be tasted in the wines. Vouni was once described by French sommeliers visiting the island as the Romanée-Conti of Cyprus, the name of the famous Burgundian appellation.
Andreas Kyriakides worked in the Department of Viticulture and Oenology for 14 years including time in the laboratory and the field. The winery is a family business, and his three sons, educated in oenology and hospitality, are now involved. This is a family with vast experience of the region’s vineyards and winemaking, producing up to 120,000 a year.
Visitors will enjoy the winery tour, where approximately €3 million were spent on its refurbishment. Underground, at the wine cellar, hundreds of bottles are stored, while there is also an area devoted to the production of traditional grape juice sweets. The winery offers also a two-hour tour of the vineyards on top of the Vouni Panayia PDO region.
With 12 hectares at an altitude ranging from 900 to 1,150, Kyriakides uses only local varieties such as Mavro, Maratheftiko, Giannoudi, Promara, Spourtiko and Xynisteri as well Vasilissa and Morokanella in its microvinifications series of wines.
2023 Alina, Xynisteri, PGI Paphos ABV 12.5%
The women’s name Alina means light. And light it is! This is one of the most well-known Xynisteri labels in the region. It is herbal and citrusy. Straw-coloured with greenish shades, this wine combines a distinctive herbal flower and fleshy white stone fruit aromas and citrus zest, with a dry, harmonic and perfectly-balanced flavour and a pleasantly bitter and lemony aftertaste. Crisp, mineral and refreshing, fuller than many Xynisteris, it has a light to medium body. Equally satisfying as an aperitif or with Cyprus meze entrées, grilled fish or chicken with herbs. €9.50
2023 Spourtiko, PGI Paphos, ABV 12%
Light yellow colour and pure aromas of fresh white flowers and lemon blossoms, citrus, hawthorn and stone fruit with a touch of saffron. The palate is mineral rich, light to medium body, with intense expression of citrus fruit, lemon and grapefruit finishing with alluring freshness and minerality. The wine will continue to grow and develop in the bottle. Enjoy with seafood and saffron risotto, salads with chicken breast and peach or grilled lemon chicken. €15
2020 Promara, PGI Paphos, ABV 13.5%
The popularity of Promara is growing, and it started here over ten years ago. Very good expression of the variety, it has a pale yellow hue with an array of light mixed fruit and fleshy stone fruit, tropical hints, and few herbal notes. White flowers, lime, white peach, unripe mango, mineral and oak hints complete in the nose, while the mouth is citrusier with stone fruit. The palate is balanced with crisp refreshing acidity and a lingering salty, grapefruit finish. The wine is friendly and gentle with some soft mineral notes at the end. Serve with Salmon carpaccio, halibut with pesto, pasta alle Vongole, tuna Tataki. €25
2023 Pampela, Pafos Regional, ABV 12.5%
This is a blend of Mavro 90% and 10% Maratheftiko. Sexy, light pink colour, pink salmon, with a nose that combines aromas of ripe blood orange, raspberry, cranberry and strawberry. Waves of bright red fruit roll across the palate with pink grapefruit and mineral notes; the gorgeously weighted palate balances juicy fruit flavours with racy acidity and finishes on a pleasantly persistent, zesty note. It is an excellent aperitif or picnic wine. This is the ideal summer salad wine or serve with fresh, seared tuna steaks, poached salmon, asparagus quiche, cold crayfish salad, vegetable spring rolls dipped in soy sauce, sushi and other Japanese delights. €9.50
2022 Plakota, Mavro – Maratheftiko, PGI Paphos, ABV 13.5%
Light red can be an excellent choice for both experienced and novice wine drinkers. Plakota blend is Mavro 65% and 35% Maratheftiko. Intense cherry red colour with tones of purple. On the nose it presents a great concentration of fresh red fruit aromas, currants and plums, spicy cherry with floral nuances. In the mouth, it is a well-structured rich wine that evokes tastes of blackberry, plum and soft and silky tannins. Pairs with any grilled meat, roast turkey, pizza or red sauce pasta. €10
2020 Barba Yiannis, Maratheftiko, PGI Paphos, ABV 13%
The mouth is filled with an array of flavours, including cherry, plum, red apple, sweet raspberries and strawberries with lingering hints of cocoa and cinnamon, while supple tannins leave a pleasing finish. Spicy and lush, notes of black cherry, cedar and spice open to rich plum and soft cherry flavours on the palate along with hints of toast. A touch of spice on the finish complements the finesse and lengthy finish of the wine. Best enjoyed with chicken enchiladas or pasta with sausage, apple pork chops with caramelised onions, or a juicy steak au poivre. €16
2022 Giannoudi, PGI Paphos, ABV 13%
Expressive with ruby and enticing cherry-red hue, exquisite combination of dark, red fruit, plum and herbal notes. It captivates the palate with a balance of velvety forest fruit flavours with underlying hints of spices and herbal characters, finishing with a touch of smokiness. This medium to full-bodied wine has an appealing softness, moderate tannins and a dashingly smooth finish, with some mineral character. It pairs brilliantly with roast lamb, entrecote and mushroom sauce, rabbit or beef stew, roast vegetables, lasagna, Manchego or Kefalotyri cheese. €25
Vouni Panayia Winery, Panayia, Paphos, Tel: +357 26 722770, +357 99 453138. Distributed in Paphos by La Bodega Cava 26 955515
