Wines from the island of Cyprus

Wines from the island of Cyprus – Episode #596

December 12, 2008

Achilleas Georgiou a great friend of the Thunder Show sends Gary some wines and he tries them live on the Thunder Show!

Having trouble viewing this video? Try the Quicktime version.

Comments on this episode(133) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD

cyprus=heat…” by fatseany
“I have just arrived in cyprus on vacation. Watched the episode for som…” by fatseany
View all 133 ›

Wines tasted in this episode:

2007 Tsangarides Xinisteri
2006 Tsangarides Cabernet Sauvignon
2006 Tsangarides Mataro

Links mentioned in today’s episode.

Christmas Secret Pack

133 Responses

December 12, 2008

Daniel Kemp
QOTD: Hill
December 12, 2008

Dr T in NC
QOTD Cyprus — Zeno the Stoic
December 12, 2008

Danilo
QOTD: Minotaurus! UAHHHH!
December 12, 2008

billyg
Conflict. Greeks vs. Turks.
December 12, 2008

HuskerJamie
QOTD: Tennis star Marco Baghdadis.
December 12, 2008

Robert Howells
Cypress Hill hip hop
December 12, 2008

Mark
QOTD: Hill, of course.
December 12, 2008

brorjace
I think of Greece actually when I think of Cyprus. The person 2 down from me said Minotaurs, which is hilarious. I totally broke into a smile when I saw the title, I love the weird eclectic shows! Also, I know one show is a small sample, but don’t you think white wines are so much better in Greece and Cyprus?
And finally, I don’t think I’ve seen Mataro on a wine label for a good 3 years. Maybe Cyprus is stuck in the past? Anywho, great show, feel better!
December 12, 2008

Glenn P
Three more shows till the big arbitrary number! Woo hoo!

QOTD: Othello
December 12, 2008

Ray Barnes
It seems the Cypress cabernet has the lowest qpr rating of any red wine among recent shows. If it is the 37th largest producer in the world, at that rate, its standing is more likely to go down than up. While one welcomes experimentation, unfortunately some are bound to be dissapointing.

QOTD – None sorry.
December 12, 2008

manonthemoon
so so for a terrible day of pulling a double shift.

QOTD: Bald, damn dendrology comming back in the picture
December 12, 2008

Jay Campbell
Good QOTD: Original Joe’s in San Jose, CA. I’ve been there one time and it just so happened that one time, we were waited on by a really great waiter from Cyprus.
December 12, 2008

Robin C
QOTD: just the tree comes to mind.
December 12, 2008

A dumb Rhine king
QOTD: I too think of Cyprus Hill. That and a palm tree for some reason.
December 12, 2008

OSCAR FALCON LARA
QOTD: Cyprus-Nicosia

Would like to find wines like these locally to try them.
December 12, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: A very good professor I had who is from Cyprus.
December 12, 2008

purplejuicebruce
QOTD… bald
December 12, 2008

Christophe
I don’t think of Cypress. Thanks for bringing it to the world.
December 12, 2008

Danilo
Ooops… i think i messed things up.
December 12, 2008

sharon
qotd: Turkey and Greece fighting over ….Cyprus. The Maze.
December 12, 2008

David Kaye
Cyprus’s climate is very similar to Texas’s, so the problems that Cyprus faces regarding ripeness is that same that Texas faces. The first wine lacked acidity because Cyprus is so hot and the grapes don’t build up acid in the cool night like they do in other places. As far as the cab being green, Texas also has that problem. Since it is so hot, the grapes are picked before the sugar levels skyrocket and the acid plummets. Normally, at this point in such hot climates, the grapes are not yet ripe. Texas harvests grapes in July. Texas also has difficulty getting good color from red grapes, just like that Mataro.
December 12, 2008

sharon
I mean Crete so oops and nevermind.
December 12, 2008

Purple Toothed Bandit
Cyperus Papyrus: An awesome plant that is native to africa. Harvested from the banks of the Nile in ancient egypt to make paper!
December 12, 2008

Lynda S
QOTD: i think of where in the world is carmen santiago from the mid-90s. I almost bought a wine from cyprus, but I wanted to try a barbera.
December 12, 2008

Chris Bartow
QOTD: Plato that little blue alien guy that did the sony walkman commercials.
December 12, 2008

Carly L
Great show. I just passed up a Greek wine from the Pyrrennes today (in favor of a Portuguese red). I’ll have to let my bro know to try the white and let me know what he thinks (he’s in Athens this year on a Fulbright!). Maybe I can get him to smuggle me home a bottle

QOTD: Cyprus –> Olives
December 12, 2008

ex-lurkdawg
qotd: phish (different spelling, of course)
Gary, were you drinking before this episode? Maybe you shot this one right after that last 2-parter. I am glad that you did this. I’ve never had a wine from Cyprus and I’ll have to try one soon. Thanks again for the good episode.
December 12, 2008

Richard Ritter
Thanks for the education.

QOTD: Hlll (Insane in the Membrain) or Gardens (from Florida).

P.S. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to you. You call yourself a fan??? How dare you??? My, NY JETS are still in the hunt and you say they won’t win another game all season??? Come on dude, trade in that bucket if that’s what you think!
December 12, 2008

Moselman
QOTD: Billy Ray? Well, no worse than the many “cypress” answers…

These homophones are rarely confused: cypress is the tree, Cyprus, the Mediterranean island.
December 12, 2008

MattieJ
QOTD: Hill … Which always makes me think of House of Pain…. weird how that works
December 12, 2008

kaybee
QoTd
Cyprus- I think of Cypress Tree. Really don’t have an association. Except I like Greek gyros for lunch.
December 12, 2008

RANDI
Gary!!
Yes, I definitely watch the show for YOU..and also the wine!
QOTD: Cypress = George <-someone I knew..his father won the lottery in Greece…TWICE! LOL
December 12, 2008

John Farrin
QOTD: My God, I’ve become totally parrochial because what pops into my mind is the Lone Cypress on the 17 mile drive on the Monterey Peninsula.

Feel better!
December 12, 2008

Cameron W
Thanks for the cool show – good information.

QOTD: Cedar.
December 12, 2008

Paul One
Good stuff!

QOTD- Hill
December 13, 2008

Chris in Tulsa
Hey caught that you thought the first wine was, “F—ing awesome!” Was I the only one that heard that?
QOTD: Don’t know anything about Cyprus or their wines.
December 13, 2008

Rowland
I know a man who served in Cyprus as an officer when it was still part of the British Empire.
December 13, 2008

David T
QOTD: First thing that comes to my mind are the ‘Cyprus audio recordings’ on a past season of the TV show 24.
December 13, 2008

jaredlevy
QOTD: Hill, of course.
December 13, 2008

Withnail
QOTD: Van Morrison, “Cyprus Avenue”
December 13, 2008

sam
CYPRUS:GO RAVENS, BOO JETS
December 13, 2008

wayno da wino
Yo G, will watch in da future…….all I got ta say now is…….
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JETS JETS JETS !!!!!!! STOMP DA BILLS !!!!!!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!
December 13, 2008

Brandon M
Who doesn’t love Mott?

Everyone should give the Mottster a hug!
December 13, 2008

Todd
Anorthosis Famagusta!
December 13, 2008

Karl Laczko
Nice show, although that must be a new all time mispronunciation extravaganza!
QOTD- Aphrodite and partition.
December 13, 2008

Bobo36
funny to watch a russian (who i thought was British several years ago) speak Greek. QOTD: overtaken, again.
December 13, 2008

Simon A
QOTD: Insane in the (Mem)Braaaain!!!!!
December 13, 2008

zac weiss
QOTD: the seperation of the island… whatever that’s called. And Haruki Murakami (I’m thinking wind-up bird chronicles but I’m not sure it’s that one).
December 13, 2008

M
QOTD: Island
December 13, 2008

MikeN-in-BC
“QOTD” Cyprus……. Local Vancouver BC ski hill (spelled “Cypress Mountain”)
December 13, 2008

SS Chris
who’s Mott?
December 13, 2008

Susan
Gary, YOU WERE HYSTERICAL on that third wine………LOL!!!!!!!!
December 13, 2008

BF
hey, I haven’t dropped off — been watching 2 years!

hope you’re feeling better, GV.
December 13, 2008

BF
QOTD: I am a lawyer and nerd, so “Cypres” reminds me of the “Cy pres” (pronounced sigh pray) doctrine in law. When the original objective of a settlor or the testator becomesimpossible, impracticable, or illegal to perform, the cy-près doctrine allows the court to amend the terms of the charitable trust as closely as possible to the original intention of the testator or settlor, to prevent the trust from failing.
December 13, 2008

David Dadekian
QOTD: “For Your Eyes Only.” My memory could be completely wrong but wasn’t that all about Greece and Cyprus? I think I’m a little off.

Great speech in this episode, Gary. I’ve tried a ton of new things (and have managed to keep up with most of your episodes) because of you, and, no, I certainly haven’t always agreed. We bought several items from your book and there were definitely a couple that wouldn’t be in my top 101. But the agreements outweight the dislikes.
December 13, 2008

Glen... winecrazy.com
QOTD: Billy Ray….
December 13, 2008

wayno da wino
“Jets aren’t gonna win another game this year….8 & 8″
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT HAAAAAAAAAAAPPEEEEEEEEEEENED??????????????
The 49ers Loss knocked Ya off da Band Wagon????????? I’m stickin’
wit me JETS prediction of 10 & 6, which means they’re winnin’ TWO
of da next Three…… GOOOOOOOOOOOOO JETS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13, 2008

Cashman
QOTD: Divided State
Go Steelers
December 13, 2008

Dominus
Sorry you’re feeling bad though the show was entertaining. I’d like to expand my palate to the white but unfortunately it may be difficult to find.

QOTD: Isle

Have a good weekend and get well.

Cheers!

P.S. Jets will win as will the Colts who will run the table to 12-4.
December 13, 2008

Stephen
Thanks again Gary for expanding my (and I’m sure many others’) appreciation and knowledge of Wine. I never even thought of Cyprus as a wine-producing area; now I am intrigued.
Also, it’s great, and humble of you to remind your viewers that we don’t have to agree with your assessment of a wine; just to trust our own palates. You are an anti-wine snob!
P.S.: Thanks for the quick personal email response concerning reviewing box-wines again.
->Stephen
December 13, 2008

BobbyTiger
Steeeeeriiiiiiike twoooooooooooooooooo.
[Assuming my wine store has wines from Cyprus, I now know to walk by that aisle]
QOTD………….Trees.
December 13, 2008

Shawn_944
QOTD: So you want to be a rock superstar, live large, big house, five cars, you in charge…..
December 13, 2008

aj3
Don’t be such a doom and gloom JETS fan. A little faith in #4, it will be ok.
December 13, 2008

Luke
Good show
QOTD: Cyprus = Turkey
December 13, 2008

KenP
Good show. Charming, as usual!

QOTD: I remember an old Richard Harris record album. One of the lyrics refers to a book written in the 50’s, “Do Cypresses Believe in God?”.
December 13, 2008

Bill
Who DOESN’T love Mott?!?
December 13, 2008

DF
QOTD: Cyprus = Passion

Went on a professional (Fulbright) trip to Cyprus in 2005 and wrote about it on my blog. If you want to know more, click on my name (DF) above and then search “Cyprus” in the site search box. I have two restaurant reviews and a good sampling of other stuff.

The food and wine in Cyprus are extraordinary. Best way to enjoy Cypriot wine is to go to Cyprus! A wonderful, multi-layered, kaleidoscopic place with a lot of challenges and a lot of gifts, history, grief and joy.
December 13, 2008

eugene
Gary,
I remember enjoying Muscat from Cyprus at least 25 years ago when I was in college. I still remember those long bottles (similar to Alsace Riesling bottles).
I am wandering if I would enjoy this wine now.
I haven’t been able to locate any Muscat from Cyprus. Any plans on getting it?
December 13, 2008

BobZ
QOTD: Trees, fishing, Bass!
December 13, 2008

E dog
Hi Gary,

I hope the jets do better in the weeks to come. I m sure they will bounce back !

QOTD: Lemons or lemon trees. I remember seeing the island of cyprus with lemons on it in a children’s Atlas when I was a kid. God knows where that memory emerged from… lol.
December 13, 2008

Ernie
Gary, I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to taste Leasingham Bin 61 Shiraz? I just opened a bottle of the 2004 vintage and am loving it. Tastes like smooth chocolate.
December 13, 2008

WineClubInsider
I didn’t know Cyprus was big on wine. Anyone gone to checkout the vineyards?

-WineClubInsider
Wine Club Guide
December 13, 2008

J Crazy
Hill.
December 13, 2008

WineWoman
QOTD: Cyprus=Turquoise Blue Water
December 13, 2008

Doug
QOTD: Hill.
December 14, 2008

catherine.
gary i don’t know how you can pronounce the names of some of these wineries…

QOTD: Island.

and who DOESN’T love mott?
December 14, 2008

suzanne
QOTD: Cyprus –> creepy dudes in bars
December 14, 2008

chukhead-ted
the tree!
December 14, 2008

Derek F
Very interesting!!

QOTD: Cyprus Hill = insane in the membrane..insane in the brain
December 14, 2008

C-Lo
Hey GV, miss the show dude. Life keeps getting in the way of me sitting down with you for 12-35 min every day! Lively show today, I liked it. QOTD: Hill. Is that way too predictable? All of a sudden I want to rock out to “Insane in the Membrane.” Hope the weekend was great. Keep it real.
December 14, 2008

Tom
QOTD: Cypress…Gardens (FL theme park)
December 14, 2008

YoungDave
QOTD: I tried to think of something else, but for true, first reaction word association-

Cypress: Hill
December 14, 2008

Slushpuppy
Fat-Ass Favre almost lost another games with his wild picks, and lucky for you the Bill’s QB was the best player on your team!
Smell it first. TR
December 14, 2008

Little Jonny
Interesting format and interesting subjects. Would love to see you do a desert wine show in the near future (maybe including an effort from Cyprus?).

QOTD: Tennis star Marcos Baghdatis
December 14, 2008

sam
Good show!

Too bad the reds weren’t inspiring. Now I need an atlas to find out where the hell Cyprus is. Gary teaches geography as well as wine appreciation. That is awesome.

QOTD: Psy-press…
December 14, 2008

vinoBlue
qotd: the first thing that came to mind was “cypress tree”

Interesting show…anything special planned for the big show #600? It’s only two weeks away (assuming 5 shows / week)…I’m just curious based on what went down from episode .5k
December 14, 2008

toni
QOTD: Halloumi
Majestic – never the same taste twice – cheese, that has as many faces as spanish Hamon or Histrian Ombolo. This represents a foodgroup.
December 14, 2008

SAMMY S
Hey Gary,

Interesting show…..good to see something a little bit different.

qotd…Olive trees
December 14, 2008

Weston
qotd: And Island in the Mediterranean thats about it hah
December 14, 2008

Travis
QOTD: HILL! But maybe I’m just ‘insane in the brain’…
December 14, 2008

OSCAR FALCON LARA
DRINKING GAME IDEAS:

Going through the past episodes I came up with your proposal for a drinking game, and I’m sure there have been a lot of suggestions, so here are mine:

ONE.- every time you say “BUT/HOWEVER”
TWO.- every time you use the word “action” after a wine description.
THREE.- every time you tell Mot to “smell this”.

I can think of more but that’ll do for today.
December 14, 2008

Grapedigger
Cool show…Cyprus = beach to me.
Since you’re in that area, it’d be timely to do another episode on wines from Lebanon, especially since your book featured two of them. Cheers
December 14, 2008

Murso
QotD – Cyprus: Most unfortunately, the Greek/Turkish divide. Am I to understand that indigenous autonomy, or some sort of self governing is/has been granted for the present, or near future? Let us hope there is an end to their problem.

I spent several days on nearby Crete, and was amazed to walk such an ancient and historical land. The Palace at Knossos, seat of the myth of King Minos, Perseus, and the Minotaur was a real mind blowing experience,as was the fact that I was walking grounds that were the confluence of Greek/Western, Byzantine, and Islamic, among other cultures. Not a Mcdonald’s to be found ANYWHERE. I was in heaven, and it was one of my most fascinating travels ever.

In rthe early 90’s, I became aquainted, and enjoyed the red Othello wine from KEO. It was soft, fruity, not unlike beaujolais.
December 14, 2008

Richard Ritter
See Gary…the JETS WON!!!
Have a little faith will ya’.
December 15, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
Sickest I ever got in my life on Cyprus. Had wine all over the island and thought none of the reds were worth drinking. Several whites were OK but I wouldn’t go to Cyprus for the wine.
December 15, 2008

chito
Great Jets victory!!!!!. Hey since when did I become a Jets fan? Anyway, Boyz won tonight. Sorry bout the G-Men. Catching up with the episodes. Long on-call weekend but all patients survived. Great shows, lets me realize what really matters in life. Keep up the great work.
Al
December 15, 2008

Brandon S
QOTD: Kurds being hated on. Imagine that.

Anyway, great episode. I’ve been high on Greek wine for a few weeks now. I had to comment on this though– I googled a specific wine I liked and was directed here for episode 12. Times have certainly changed, my friend. The show has really blossomed. Congrats and keep it up!

I have a couple of humble requests for show topics:
-New Zealand Pinot Noir
-New Zealand Vinifera wines other than PN and SB (I hear tell of some solid Syrah).
-South African Pinot Noir

Thanks again, my good man.
December 15, 2008

Phil G
I know the spelling is different, but Cypress Hill…
December 15, 2008

italianwinelover
thanks for bringing something different…I finally was able to get a bottle of Pecorino took awhile but can’t wait to taste it and it was cuz of U that I was a seeker!!

QOTD: FL
December 15, 2008

theemptyglass
QOTD: embarrasingly enough Hill, but in the context of the country, then I guess island.

and Mott Rocks!!
December 15, 2008

Scottie P
QOTD: I’m sure it’s a broken record by now, but Cypress Hill… Gone insane got no brain!
December 15, 2008

Andrew Hall
Nice show, Gary.

I am fairly familar with the wines of Cyprus. My wife’s family is there and I have tasted through the wines extensively last winter and summer. My notes can be found here :

http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=4174
http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=5219

Sorry the reds were so uninspiring. Most of the attempts at International varieties are not so successful. A couple of smaller wineries hit the mark, but there is a lot of work to be done with understanding the sites and waiting for the vines to fully mature.

The most exciting reds come from a native variety called Maratheftiko (also known as Vamvakada.) It is annoying to work with since budding is irregular, but it does make a distinctive wine. I had the privilege of having one from 100yr old vines which was a unique wine.

Andrew Hall
December 15, 2008

LauraG
QOTD: Privacy Fence.
December 15, 2008

Hido53
Gary -

Hope you’re feeling better today! Not sure what your reaction will be to your Jets’ win yesterday . . . My Niners, couldn’t pull off another win, but at least they’re somewhat competitive and watchable now.
QOTD: “green-ness”- not the Pacific Northwest cold wet grassy-green-ness, but a hot dry, Mediterannean herbal-green-ness
December 15, 2008

Jayhitek
QOTD: Greece
2nd choice: Some guy I sat next to at a U2 concert. When he told me he lived in Cypress.. I really said to him, “That’s really a place? I thought that was only in Greek Mythology??”
He looked at me like I was a huge asshole.
Oh well. It’s funny now.
December 15, 2008

Andy
QOTD……… Swamp
December 15, 2008

Deano
Great episode Gary the white did sound good.

QOTD:
-A tree
December 15, 2008

Jay
QOTD: World Rally Championship (WRC)
December 15, 2008

Wine PT
QOTD: Cyprus…Hill, How I could just kill a man
December 15, 2008

RonD
QOTD: two things:
WRC
the tree in my back yard
December 15, 2008

Achilleas in Cyprus
QOTD: My Home
December 16, 2008

Michael Schoonmaker
QOTD: The kind of tree.
December 16, 2008

MattUD
QOTD: Hill, as in Cypress Hill
December 16, 2008

danseng
QOTD: Point Golf Club.
December 16, 2008

JayZee
Interesting show – I sure haven’t ever had wine from Cyprus.

QOTD: Tree (I know, not very imaginative)
December 16, 2008

Dan Manu
QOTD: Eurovision
December 17, 2008

Jesse
Excellent how! Cheers
December 18, 2008

Eric B
” ‘Hey, did you know Cyprus is the 37th largest producer of wine in the world?’ If that doesn’t get you the ladies, I don’t know what will ”
now that’s a pick-up line and a half
December 18, 2008

Benj
Awesome episode. I’m going to Cyprus in March to look at the rocks so will be seeking out some wine while I’m there and will definitely try a xinisteri – thanks for the education!

QOTD: Hot
December 21, 2008

Kristen
You keep bringing the thunder! Sweet.

QOTD: Hill.
December 22, 2008

pawncop
Good episode.

QOTD – Knights of Malta
December 22, 2008

Sharon
Cypress – Either the name of a golf course, or trees commonly found on golf courses.
December 23, 2008

Lacey
QOTD: You say Cypress, I say Hill,
December 23, 2008

DCaseyLee
MOTT! LINK IT UP….
December 23, 2008

DCaseyLee
wine
December 25, 2008

Dan-o
GV – I like the idea of getting wines from all over the world. Seems like the white saved the day.

QOTD – Napoleon!
December 28, 2008

JudeMurphy
Cyprus… I know nothing about it except that it’s a popular holiday destination!
I’ve never tasted a wine from there.
December 29, 2008

Andrew D
Thanks Gary

QOTD: Hill … goats … olives … funny looking old fishermen with great beards

Cheers
Andrew
January 13, 2009

yowens
Cool show. QOTD: Tree (sorry it sucks).
January 30, 2009

Dessert Wine Nerd
Thank you Achilleas Georgiou for bringing different wines to us, even if they wernt the best thing around. QOTD: my mind is totally blank on this one. arrrrghhh!!!!!
June 10, 2009

Gandalf
I keep listening to the news speak about getting free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one.
August 22, 2009

fatseany
I have just arrived in cyprus on vacation. Watched the episode for some info (as I do many times GV) and yesterday in the supermarket as I had 12 bottles of cyprus wine on the floor, trying to decide which ones to get, I rejected 2 xinisteris. I have decided to return and buy them now.

thanks

P.S. I hope the knee surgery goes well and that your back on your feet and on the court soon
August 22, 2009

fatseany
QOTD

cyprus=heat