Xynisteri
| Xynisteri | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
 | |
| Origin | Cyprus |
| Notable regions | Troodos mountain range |
| Notable wines | Commandaria, Xynisteri |
| VIVC number | 704 |
Xynisteri (also spelled xinisteri; Greek: ξυνιστέρι) is an indigenous[1] white grape[2] 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.[3][4]
Its clusters and berries are of medium size while it is known for its durability against wine diseases.[4] It is used in the production of several local (mainly white) wines.[5] Xynisteri is blended with Mavro grapes for the production of the Commandaria,[1] a well-known Cypriot dessert wine and it is also used for the production of the local spirit Zivania.[4]
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.[6]
References
- 1 2 "Vitis International Variety Catalogue".
- ↑ Lazarou, Stalo. "Ξυνιστέρι". foodmuseum.cs.ucy.ac.cy (in Greek). Cyprus Food Virtual Museum. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- ↑ "Xynisteri Wine". wine-searcher.com. Wine-searcher. Retrieved 24 November 2015.
- 1 2 3 "Xynisteri". vounipanayiawinery.com. Vouni Panaya Winery. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
- ↑ "Monolithos Xynisteri - IGP Limassol - Concours International de Lyon - International Wine, Beer and Spirits Competition".
- ↑ "Ancient white wine variety reducing water bills and instilling hope for struggling Australian industry". www.abc.net.au/news. Retrieved 10 May 2026.