called greek greek amber coloured sweet wine region cyprus foothills mountains sun dried varieties fortified wine production method reaches high alcohol levels fortification represents ancient wine style documented cyprus distinction world oldest named wine production dating 12th century history wine rich history said date time ancient greeks popular drink festivals dried wine cyprus known described greek poet known later served 12th century wedding king richard town wedding king richard pronounced wine kings king near end century sold island sold kept large feudal estate close estate referred word referred military headquarters whilst helped distinguish smaller command posts island close phoenix near area control subsequently knights known knights began producing large quantities wine export europe royal courts supplying pilgrims route holy lands wine assumed region distinction world oldest named wine production today produced marketed referred similar names past book wine vine cellar refers wine whilst refers cyrus book history description modern makes reference wine legend 13th century france held wine competition event branded battle recorded notable french poem written competition included europe france won sweet wine cyprus widely believed region fell control descendant suppression legend ottoman sultan invaded island acquire wine exported portugal eventually famous source port wine production exclusively types indigenous cyprus left vine sugar content reaches acceptable levels corresponding high weight harvested specifically picked degrees laid sun increase sugar density weight reaches juice extracted thorough crushing pressing takes place arrest naturally high levels alcohol achieved process place confines designated villages lie law aged years place outside designated area cyprus strict control conditions laid legislation completed minimum alcohol level exceeded alcoholic strength increased addition pure alcohol wine alcohol addition wine actual alcohol content exceed total potential alcohol including sugar content fortified wine fortification mandatory origins production method definite poem written 7th century writes elder describes similar methods employed greeks making sweet account describes production claims evolution method necessity choice produced large wine industries small local producers zone data recorded book cyprus saw reveal late 19th century cyprus annual production equivalent litres data reflects duty paid production cyprus exported port vast majority went austria valued official figures released general increasing trend volumes produced production targeted export currently holds protected designation origin european_union united_states canada legislation passed march produced collection neighbouring villages designated area assumed located south facing slopes altitude planted years allowed vine training follow method prohibited harvest commence vine products commission cyprus given green light based average sugar content demonstrate sugar content whilst qualify reading sugar concentration raised laying sun usually days strict window february selected official wine glass manufactured austrian wine glass company
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