Promotion of comandaria wine in the domestic and international market, strengthens not only the Cypriot products, but also our winegrowers, Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou said Monday, addressing a special event celebrating the 800 years of the Cyprus famous wine, hed in the Frech city of Dijon.

The Minister noted that since ancient times Comandaria has symbolized the wine-growing tradition of our country, based on many written historical reports.

Comandaria, she added, originating from the 14 communities of the geographically delimited region of Cyprus, exactly 800 years ago, won the first prize in the 1st recorded wine competition in France in 1224, under the reign of Philip II Augustus of France.

Panayiotou said that Comandaria with its designated Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), is linked to our history and culture and that is why we are extremely proud that the world known wine is celebrated in Dijon.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Kostas Koumis in a speech read by official Elina Christofidou, noted that the Deputy Ministry recognizes the historical value of Comandaria and has developed a series of actions and initiatives, in Cyprus and abroad, to promote and internationalize the product.

Director General of the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine), John Barker said that Comandaria is a magnificent wine that encompasses centuries of tradition, culture, know-how, very specific practices and special grape varieties.