Xynisteri

Xynisteri
Grape (Vitis)
OriginCyprus
Notable regionsTroodos mountain range
Notable winesCommandaria, Xynisteri
VIVC number704

Xynisteri (also spelled xinisteri; Greek: ξυνιστέρι) is an indigenous white grape grown on Cyprus.

According to some estimates, 33% of Cypriot vineyards, on the south slopes of the Troodos mountain range are planted with this grape variety, a fact that makes Xynisteri the main white grape grown of Cyprus.

Its clusters and berries are of medium size while it is known for its durability against wine diseases. It is used in the production of several local (mainly white) wines. Xynisteri is blended with Mavro grapes for the production of the Commandaria, a well-known Cypriot dessert wine and it is also used for the production of the local spirit Zivania.

The grape variety is being trialled in the hotter wine regions in Australia like the Barossa and the Riverland where it is reducing growers' water consumption by 75% and withstanding heatwave events above 45 degrees Celsius due to a root structure three to four times the size of other European varieties.

References

  1. 1 2 "Vitis International Variety Catalogue".
  2. ↑ Lazarou, Stalo. "Ξυνιστέρι". foodmuseum.cs.ucy.ac.cy (in Greek). Cyprus Food Virtual Museum. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  3. ↑ "Xynisteri Wine". wine-searcher.com. Wine-searcher. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Xynisteri". vounipanayiawinery.com. Vouni Panaya Winery. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  5. ↑ "Monolithos Xynisteri - IGP Limassol - Concours International de Lyon - International Wine, Beer and Spirits Competition".
  6. ↑ "Ancient white wine variety reducing water bills and instilling hope for struggling Australian industry". www.abc.net.au/news. Retrieved 10 May 2026.