Chris BerryFounder, Wine Underdogs — chasing the world’s overlooked grapesPromara is one of the rarest wines Cyprus makes. It is a white grape rescued from old vineyards, first bottled on its own in 2011, and today it accounts for less than one percent of the island's grapes. A few bottles make it to the United States.
Say it: proh-MAH-rahrecorded by Anastasia Konstantopoulou
The grape in brief
The name means "early ripening," according to José Vouillamoz on JancisRobinson.com, and the grape has very thick skins. Zambartas notes that this means less juice per kilo of fruit, and that the variety makes up under one percent of Cyprus's grapes.
It was among the native varieties rediscovered through Akis Zambartas's research in old vineyards in the 1980s (Zambartas Wineries). Vouni Panayia first vinified it on its own in 2011 (Wine Cyprus Naturally). Zambartas's first Promara ran to 450 bottles; it now makes around 5,500.
Head Oenologist Anastasia Konstantopoulou of LionSpirit Winery & Distillery places it among the grapes Cyprus is still learning:
With varieties such as Promara, Vasilissa and Morokanella, we are still experimenting and learning what their real potential and typicity are, how they behave under different conditions and which winemaking approaches express them best.
What it tastes like, according to whom
- Jolanta Smiciene for the Circle of Wine Writers: citrus fruit and minerals, expressive acidity and a long finish.
- Justin Keay in The Buyer, on the Tsiakkas bottling: fresh and fruit-forward with good acidity.
- Aes Ambelis: white peach, melon and wild flowers.
Styles differ by producer: all stainless steel at Aes Ambelis, part used oak and five months on the lees at Zambartas.
A note on Bastartiko
Some sources think Bastartiko, a grape no longer cultivated, may be a clone of Promara. The evidence is thin, and we cover it on the page about Cyprus's lost grapes.
Where to find a bottle
wine.com had none on 25 September 2026; its search returns an unrelated Pinot Noir. Wine-Searcher's US listings showed six prices that day, including Zambartas Promara from about $22 and Vouni Panayia Promara at about $44.
Read more in Cyprus wine grapes, from a head oenologist, and on Vasilissa and Morokanella.
New to wine? Start here
Wine Match
Five guilty pleasures, yes or no. Ben finds the wine you’d actually like. You don’t need to know anything about wine. Ben certainly doesn’t.
Wine Underdogs is for readers of legal drinking age.
BenFive things. Yes or no. I'll do the rest.
Every wine fact here comes from the grape guides on Wine Underdogs. Ben has never opened a bottle, and neither does this game. For readers 21 and over.
Frequently asked questions
What does Promara mean?
According to José Vouillamoz on JancisRobinson.com, the name means early ripening.
What does Promara taste like?
Tasters describe citrus fruit, minerality and lively acidity (Jolanta Smiciene, Circle of Wine Writers), and producer Aes Ambelis lists white peach, melon and wild flowers.
JOIN THE PACK
Whatever you drink now, there's an underdog you'd like more.
One overlooked wine at a time: what it tastes like, the famous one it can replace, and the catch. Free.