Cyprus Wine Festival
Description:
This is a grand wine festival, lasting from August 30 to September 11. The heat slowly subsides, the sun covers everything with heat. The delicate aroma of grapes is captured in the air. Happy time!!!
Wine, perhaps the most sacred drink of the ancient world, is prepared in Cyprus according to ancient traditions. Winemakers carefully preserve the recipes for the preparation of Cypriot wines, and keep them secret. It is noteworthy that almost every mountain village has its own recipe, unlike any other.
Paphos, the ancient capital of Cyprus, is still proud of its elaborate mosaics left to us, descendants, so that we can enjoy their beauty and marvel at the skill of the ancient masters.
Among the outlandish mosaics is one that depicts the myth of the creation of wine. By the way, the history of winemaking began with a bad incident.
It was during the time of Dionysus, who is called the god of wine and especially cheerful feasts. According to legend, for the generous hospitality of King Icarios, Dionysus decided to thank him. He came up with nothing better than to teach him winemaking: the secrets of a good birth of grapes and the methods of its preparation. The tsar was delighted with such a valuable gift, and, quite quickly mastering all the skills necessary for a real winemaker, decided to treat everyone with his own "product".
The first tasters were shepherds. Instantly hopped by an unfamiliar drink, they fell to the ground, causing fear and crushing of others and hatred towards the king, who they thought had poisoned them with a potion. Without listening to any excuses, the witnesses of this incident killed the king, and, a few hours later, the shepherds woke up and, as if nothing had happened, continued their business, adopting an as yet obscure but pleasant “craft”.
In contrast to the beer festival, the Limassol Wine Festival is held exclusively with a national flavor. The sounds of the bouzuki (a national string instrument, similar to the domra or the Russian balalaika) merge with the singing of famous songs and friendly claps that beat a clear rhythm to all dancers.
Among the aroma of grapes spilling in the air, professionals, and all more or less versed in the intricacies of grape business, catch different varieties of grapes. In the Limassol park, the flow of guests who want to taste wines does not run out all two weeks. Moreover, from 20.00 – 23.00 p.m., “vines juice” can be tasted completely free of charge.
In addition, all visitors can participate in the preparation of the “divine” drink. In the days of the festival, the picture becomes familiar when people roll up trousers, become in vats with grapes and under the cheerful cheers of the public and national music trample fresh grapes, squeezing juice from it, which will eventually turn into wine.