On a recent trip to the village of Koilani, in the Troodos mountains, to interview a friend, I was then fortunate enough to be taken to a local winery just outside the village called the ‘Costa Erimoudi Winery’
Costa and his wife Maria were more than happy to let me look around ( and eat some freshly made Soujouko which I loved)
The Wine made here is of the HIGHEST quality, and Costa took the time to explain the whole process to me. The Wine is produced in giant Stainless Steel tanks, but after the initial process, the higher quality wine is matured of OVER A YEAR in French Oak Barrels.
He told me that the barrels cost €850.00 each and can only be used four times, then they have to be discarded as they will no longer give the Wine the correct bouquet. I quickly did my sums and worked out that the cost per litre is approaching €1.00 just for the Oak Barrels!
As we arrived, they had just finished making a batch of ‘Soujouko’ (a firm grape roll) which was hanging out to set along with a batch of Palouze(Grape Jelly) which is absolutely gorgeous.
This is a family business, producing high quality products that have a ready made market. I did ask Costa about that, he says that he has a number of waiting customers including specialist Wine dealers, Restaurants and Hotels, so no high street chain exploitation here.
The result of keeping out the National chains?
Costa and his family are in CONTROL of their destiny, they decide what to make how to make it, how much to make and how much to charge. Maybe some of the people who have jumped on the multi-national ‘get rich quick’ bandwagon should take a look to remind themselves what they have given up.
If your are visiting the Troodos mountains, pay them a visit, try some Wine, BUY some Wine and don’t forget to buy some Soujouko!
