Vasilissa grape

A rare native white, recognised as a variety of its own only in recent years. Its name means “queen”, and it is also known as Aspri Fraoula.

Intensely aromatic, perfumed wines — powdered sugar and loukoumi (Cyprus delight), stone fruit, citrus peel and white flowers — with a round, full body and moderate acidity.

Long confused with Morokanella and sold under that name by several wineries, which were given a two-year grace period to relabel once Vasilissa was registered. Grown in the Pafos PGI area and at Omodos, at around 1,100 m; single-variety dry whites are made by producers including Vasilikon, Tsangarides, Makarounas and Oenou Yi.