Cypriot Wine Legislation – Official Wine Regions
Reference date: 3 August 2026.
Cyprus has 5 PDO regions (with 2 subregions) and 4 PGI regions, with a winemaking history of more than 5,500 years.
Source: Cypriot Wine Products Council, in accordance with EU regulations. Commandaria, produced since the Crusades (1192), is the world's oldest continuously produced named wine.
1. Classification System (managed by the Cypriot Wine Products Council, in accordance with EU regulations)
| Designation | Level | Description | Requirement |
|---|
| PDO / ΠΟΠ | Highest | Protected Designation of Origin (Προστατευόμενη Ονομασία Προέλευσης) | 100% of grapes from the area, vines at least 5 years old, maximum yield of 36–45 hl/ha, minimum 12% ABV (red) / 11% ABV (white) |
| PGI / ΠΓΕ | Intermediate | Protected Geographical Indication (Προστατευόμενη Γεωγραφική Ένδειξη) | At least 85% of grapes from the region, vines at least 4 years old, maximum yield of 55–70 hl/ha, minimum 11% ABV (red) / 10% ABV (white) |
| Commandaria | Special | Historic sweet wine (the world's oldest named wine) | Exclusively from 14 villages, using dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes |
| Wine (Table Wine) | Basic | Table wine without a geographical indication | No geographical restriction |
2. PDO – Protected Designation of Origin (5 regions + 2 subregions)
| PDO Region | Location | Characteristics |
|---|
| Commandaria | 14 villages on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains | The world's oldest named wine; a sweet wine made from dried Xynisteri and Mavro grapes |
| Krasochoria Lemesou | Southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains (Limassol) | “Wine Villages of Limassol”, the heart of Cypriot winemaking, at an altitude of 400–1,400 m |
| Krasochoria Lemesou — Afames (subregion) | Within Krasochoria Lemesou | Subregion with distinctive terroir characteristics |
| Krasochoria Lemesou — Laona (subregion) | Within Krasochoria Lemesou | Subregion with its own microclimate |
| Laona-Akamas | North-west Cyprus (Paphos) | Coastal area; only Maratheftiko/Ofthalmo (minimum 85%) is permitted for red wine |
| Vouni Panayia-Ampelitis | Paphos District | Mountain vineyards, native grape varieties, at an altitude of 800–1,100 m |
| Pitsilia | Central Troodos Mountains | The highest vineyards, reaching 1,460 m; a cooler climate and elegant wines |
PDO wines: minimum 85% Xynisteri (white), or 85% Maratheftiko/Ofthalmo or 60% Mavro (red). Altitude requirement: 400–1,400 m.
3. PGI – Protected Geographical Indication (4 regions)
| PGI Region | Location | Characteristics |
|---|
| Lemesos (Limassol) | District Limassol | The heart of Cypriot winemaking, Krasochoria (wine villages), and the Troodos slopes |
| Pafos (Paphos) | District Paphos | Diverse microclimates, coastal influence, the wine village of Kathikas, and numerous wineries |
| Larnaka (Larnaca) | District Larnaca | Emerging wine region, part of the Troodos Wine Route, with organic wines |
| Lefkosia (Nicosia) | District Nicosia | Inland, at higher altitudes, with emerging boutique wineries |
PGI wines: at least 85% of grapes from the region, vines at least 4 years old, maximum yield of 55–70 hl/ha.
4. Principal Grape Varieties
| Grape Variety | Type | Characteristics |
|---|
| Xynisteri | White (native) | Cyprus's most widely planted variety (~40%); refreshing, with citrus, pear and stone-fruit notes; used as a base for Commandaria |
| Mavro | Red (native) | Second most widely planted; produces light red wine; a component of Commandaria; low in tannins |
| Maratheftiko | Red (native) | One of the oldest Cypriot varieties; deeply coloured and complex, with meaty, plum and spice notes |
| Ofthalmo | Red (native) | “Eye grape”; used in Laona-Akamas PDO; often blended with Maratheftiko |
| Promara | White (native) | Rare, with high potential alcohol; tropical fruit and honey notes |
| Yiannoudi | Red (native) | Rediscovered variety; full-bodied, with dark berry, leather and pepper notes |
| Spourtiko | White (native) | Once nearly extinct and now undergoing a revival; fresh and floral, with low acidity |
| Morokanella | White (native) | Aromatic and floral, with sweet notes; produced in small quantities |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | Red (international) | Well adapted to the Cypriot climate; often blended with native varieties |
| Syrah/Shiraz | Red (international) | Successful in higher-altitude vineyards, producing spicy, fruit-forward wines |
| Chardonnay | White (international) | Used for modern-style wines, often oak-aged, in the premium segment |
| Sauvignon Blanc | White (international) | Refreshing wines, growing in popularity |
