An Evening of Pafos Maratheftiko - 12 Wineries Celebrating Together
2022 has been an excellent year for Cypriot wines in many ways; with the completion of record grape harvests, it also saw some Cypriot labels appearing on some top London restaurant wine lists. The good news continues with the second International Maratheftiko Day taking place on December 1st. The day is a celebration of the indigenous grape variety Maratheftiko, with various wine events planned across the Island. Maratheftiko is an ancient red variety, only grown in Cyprus, and is considered by many to be the top indigenous grape. It is primarily used to produce premium red wines and some select rosé wines.
In Pafos, the occasion will be celebrated at the Almyra Hotel on Wednesday, November 23rd, with ‘An Evening of Pafos Maratheftiko’. The event will include twelve winemakers from the Pafos region who will come together to offer a tasting of their own Maratheftiko. The exhibition will be a unique opportunity to taste the individual labels and meet the winemakers in person. Everyone coming together to celebrate the day. During the evening, guests will have the rare chance to wander from winery to winery at the exhibition in the hotel. They will be able to taste each of the wines and compare and find out more from the winemakers themselves and their teams. The event will be open to guests from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm. The participating wineries include Ezousa, Vouni Panayia, Makkas, Kolios, Kalamos, Nelion, Vasilikon, Makarounas, Tsangarides, Fikardos, Kamanterena and Mystis.
Speaking about the celebrations, Jochen Niemann, General Manager of the Almyra Hotel, said, “We are delighted to be hosting this event and celebrating Maratheftiko Day with the winemakers, visitors, and citizens of Pafos. As the importance of this grape increases, it will be a true celebration of Cypriot wine. Furthermore, the evening will offer a new wine experience for all who attend.”
Maratheftiko is usually a deep red colour, often with a slight hint of blue. It is considered a superior variety that gives a very concentrated wine with a strong colour and rich body. It has soft tannins with a distinct fruit aroma of cherries and blackberries. It was rediscovered as a grape variety in the 1980s (first mentioned by Mouillerfert in 1893) and today accounts for just 5% of the Island’s vineyards. The grape is scattered around vineyards in Cyprus, with its name in the Pitsilia region deriving from the Greek for “cotton” due to the appearance of its young leaves, which have a fluffy underside.
As George Kassianos, President of the Cyprus Sommeliers Association, explains, “Many winemakers now consider Maratheftiko to be the top red variety in Cyprus and are seeking new ways to harness its full potential. The evening at the Almyra will showcase the twelve wineries’ examples of this indigenous grape. Maratheftiko Day is about supporting Cypriot wine and taking it to a new international audience.”
RESERVATIONS
Pre-booking is essential. Tickets are priced at 20 euros per person, including wine tastings and canapés. To book or for further information, please email [email protected] or call +357 99 254 491.