Grapevines

Grapevine 'Ampelisimo White'

Vitis vinifera L. ‘Xynisteri’

Aspro Ampelisimo is the Cypriot Xynisteri — the island’s most widely planted white variety and, together with Mavro, the backbone of Commandaria. This is a vine that knows its ground: vigorous, drought-tolerant, at home on dry slopes where other varieties struggle. It carries white-yellow seeded berries, mainly for wine but also for the table. Ripening is medium to late. If you are growing it for table fruit, picking at the right moment is what keeps the acidity and the crunch. Recorded in VIVC as Xynisteri, no. 704.

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The variety: Xynisteri

The signature white grape of Cyprus · White Ampelisimo

Fruit colour

Greenish-white to golden yellow

Seeds

Seeded

Berry size / shape

Medium, oval

Taste / texture

Sweet, neutral, firm skin

Ripening

Mid to late · late Aug. – September

Use

Wine and fresh eating

Harvest period

JunJulAugSepOct

About the variety

Xynisteri is the main native white variety of Cyprus. It is used for wine, together with Mavro for Commandaria, and also for eating fresh. In the sun the berries turn golden yellow; in the shade they stay greenish-white.

In your garden

A vigorous, productive variety adapted to the dry, chalky soils of Cyprus. It is traditionally trained as a goblet. In the garden it needs proper establishment, control of its growth and watering suited to the soil and the age of the vine.

Care tip: Drought tolerance applies to established vines. In the first years a young vine needs regular watering.

Indicative for lowland Cyprus. Berry size, sweetness and ripening time depend on site, climate, crop load and care.

Compare all 9 of our grape varieties