Experiences > Food and wine experiences in Limassol > Decoding Commandaria Wines
The Knights of st John the Hospice created the Grand Commandarie de Chypre to command their order and manage their activities around Europe and the rest of the world, when they transferred here from Jerusalem in 1192 and formed the kingdom of Cyprus.
Invasion followed invasion. Lusignan rule was followed by the Venetians and then the Ottomans. In 1878 the island was ceded to Britain and in 1960 Cyprus became an independent republic. In 2004 Cyprus joined the European Union. Yet one thing still remains the same….
This is a Guided Wine Tasting Experience at my Private Tasting Room, where you will taste the limited editions of 5 wines, from indigenous grapes. We will examine the two indigenous varieties allowed in Commandaria.
There is a sequence of steps used to evaluate a wine, and they are done in a specific order. However tasting a wine is not a once-off event but a repeating series of the procedure going back and forth. I will take you through the method I use to taste a new wine, using a simple Sensory Analysis Procedure. There is no right or wrong and tasting is not a competition of any sort. It’s all about understanding the fermented beverage in your glass.
Check out the FAQ tab to get an idea of what we wine talk about during the sessions.
• Optionally and if you are a wine geek you may want to use the Tasting Sheet to mark down your notes. Please have it ready on a separate device for in-depth tasting experience:
I only showcase boutique wineries and not mass-produced commercial wines, so you get the chance to taste the best Commandaria wines Cyprus has to offer.
I strive to present the winemakers’ vision in your glass. I will explain the history of wine in the island, talk about our terroir and about the production.
I like to feature as more wines as possible therefore no two tastings are alike. Should you want to try a specific style of Commandaria wine or producer please send me a note and I will try to work around your request.
Wine tastings are offered with lot’s of love, water and local dry bread ‘Arkateno’ for rinsing your palate. Each tasting is accompanied by matching local delicacies. A selection of artisan tastes of seasonal local produce carefully selected to bring balance and provide the sense of harmony to your Wine Tasting Experience.
Please note: Quantity and variety of food items and wine is limited to the needs of the course. Contact me if you need information on how to upgrade your experience.
Interaction on this experience is vital… so do ask whatever comes to your mind, even if you think it might sound silly, go for it, the Wonderful World of Wine is full of surprises.
Extra charges may apply in the following cases:
** I don’t cater for any dietary preferences. Please let me know in advance for any restrictions you may have.
Blind Tastings can be booked IN PRIVATE and have a PER PERSON cost. I host private groups of any size, up to 18 guests. Private group rates start at € 156.
You must confirm a booking by purchasing an event through the website or over the phone.
You pay in advance, payment takes about a week to get processed, then Pambos.Wine holds your money in trust – until the event is delivered.
If your purchase meets the following conditions, you can confirm your booking with an advance payment (Deposit):
The total balance is due the day before the event date. You will receive an email reminder 7 days before it is due. However, you can pay the balance at any time through your account at the website or over the phone or after approval in cash upon boarding the bus.
Please note that deposits are not currently available for events without inquiry submission.
Cancellations are inconvenient for both the host and guest; however, I realize that emergencies occur. Therefore, if you are unable to attend a confirmed booking, you should first consider rescheduling.
You can reschedule the event to a different date or even transfer the booking to someone else who might be joining in the future. If you reschedule the session, the cancellation policy is based on the original purchase time and original start date of the experience.
If you cannot reschedule, you should initiate a cancellation by sending me a message directly to yourstruly@pambos.wine
** In the 11th Century, King Richard the Lionheart, at his wedding, called the sweet wine of Cyprus “the Wine of Kings and the King of Wines”. The Knights of the st John Order created the Grand Commandarie de Chypre to command their order and manage their activities around Europe and the rest of the world, when they transferred here from Jerusalem in 1192 and formed the kingdom of Cyprus.
Invasion followed invasion. Lusignan rule was followed by the Venetians and then the Ottomans. In 1878 the island was ceded to Britain and in 1960 Cyprus became an independent republic. In 2004 Cyprus joined the European Union. Yet one thing still remains the same….
We will use proper organoleptic analysis (2 dry and 3 sweet wines) to unfold the elements that complete the taste of the island’s sweet treasure. Our free-flowing discussion is designed to equip you with the basic knowledge to be a smart wine buyer and a Commandaria aficionado. This experience is an excellent team-building activity or date idea for wine-loving couples.