Results of 10th Cyprus Wine Competition

The Cyprus Wine Sector celebrated it’s Annual Award ceremony closing 4 days of judging for the 10th Cyprus wine competition. Led by an international panel of judges invited by the department of Agriculture, the event was held again under the auspices of the OIV but hosted by the Union of Cyprus Oenologists.

In a contest with 31 participating wineries, the most testimonial proof of the increasing quality of winemaking in this years edition, is that the judges decided not to award bronze medals so as to better reflect the tendency of a higher number of wines earning higher scores.

A tally of 52 awards were given, a total 16 gold and 30 silver medals, a Grand Gold and 5 special distinctions for wines vinified with local varieties.

While 147 wine labels participated in the competing categories of the 10th Cyprus Wine competition, a worthy mention must be made about the growing number of special mentions for vinified with local varieties. Promara, Morokanella and Mavro have since consolidated themselves in the competition with an ever growing number of references.
The special distinction for vinification with top local varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko have had surprise outcomes this year.

The counterpart of the special distinctions shine in their own light, while for Commandaria, Aes Ambelis proves its consistency since it’s recent launch, the Promara and Morokanella whites go to the undisputed Vouni Panayia and Gerolemo wineries.

Of notable observation is the strong show of rosés, an amazing first, that rosé wines have become real contenders of high quality wines. While on a lower note, the few number of outstanding reds performing in the competition is surprising – this either reflects the imbalance of judging tilting negatively the results and/or, possibly a message sent to winemakers, for the need of more patience when setting the release of their wines.
Finally, a subtle observation about the set up for such a small national competition, we found it odd that the line-up of tables in classroom style was one which least facilitated discussion,  for sure differences in points at some instances of the judging must have not been easily consensuated with this table format.

Without further comments, The 2017 Cyprus Wine Competition Awards and Medal list goes as follow:

Grand Gold: Commandaria Wine – Aes Ambelis 2010.

Categories with Gold Medals: Commandaria Wines

  • Ayia Mavri Commandaria 2011, Ayia Mavri Winery
  • Alasia Commandaria 2001, Loel Industries
  • Theodora Commandaria 2013, Karseras Winery
  • St. Nicholas Commandaria 2013, Etko Winery
  • Saint Barnabas Commandaria 2002, Sodap Kamenterena Winery
  • Tsiakkas Commandaria 2011, Tsiakkas Winery

Gold awarded Red Dry Wines

  • Saint Fotios, Maratheftiko 2012, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine
  • Kolios, Shiraz/Merlot blend 2010, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine

Gold Awarded White dry Wines:

  • Tsangarides Xynisteri 2016, Tsangarides Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Grifos 2 Sauvignon blanc 2016, Vlasides Winery – Limassol regional wine
  • Ayioklima Xynisteri 2016, Constantinou Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Persefoni Xynisteri 2016 White, Kolios Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Tsangarides Chardonnay 2016, Tsangarides Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Keo Xynisteri 2016, Keo Winery, varietal wine

Gold Awarded Rosé Wines:

  • Aes Ambelis Rosé 2016, Multivarietal wine

commandaria wine -cyprus wine

The best sweet white wine:

  • Mosxatos 2015, Ayia Mavri, Limassol regional wine (gold)

The best Rosé wines:

  • Aes Ambelis Rosé 2016, Multivarietal wine (gold)
  • H Stroumbeli  Maratheftiko Rosé 2016 , Sodap Kamanterena (silver)
  • Grifos 3 2016, Vlasides Winery – (silver)
  • Kthma Keo 2014 Rosé, Keo (silver)
  • Demetra Dry Cabernet Sauvignon  Rosé 2016, Kalamos Winery (silver)
  • Kamanterena Lefkada-Shiraz  Rosé 2016, Sodap Kamanterena (silver)
  • Makkas Rodostafilo Rosé 2016, Makkas Winery (silver)
  • Kyperounda  Rosé 2016, Kyperounda Winery (silver)

The best White dry wines – Silver awarded wines

  • Gerolemo Muscat 2016, Gerolemo Winery, varietal wine
  • Livades 2016 Xynisteri, Kalamos Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Alina Xynisteri, 2016, Vouni Panayia Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Aes Ambelis Xynisteri 2016, Paphos regional wine
  • Gerolemo Morokanella 2016, Gerolemo Winery, varietal wine
  • Tsiakkas Sauvignon Blanc, 2016, Tsiakkas Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Ezousa Xynisteri 2016, Ezousa Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Xynisteri 2016, Ayia Mavri, Limassol regional wine
  • Zambartas Xynisteri 2016, Zambartas Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Keo Altesse 2016, Keo winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Vounoplagia Xynisteri, 2016, Santa Irene Winery, Varietal wine
  • Promara, 2016, Vouni Panayia Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Rigena Xynisteri 2016 White, Tsalapatis Winery, Paphos regional wine

The best Red dry wines – Silver awarded wines

  • Kolios, Shiraz 2010, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine
  • Zambartas Shiraz-Lefkada 2015, Zambartas Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Nikolina 2015, Erimoundes Winery, MultiVarietal
  • Skopos Shiraz 2015, Kyperounda Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Constantinou Shiraz 2014, C.G. Constantinou – Limassol Regional Wine
  • Andesitis 2015, Kyperounda Winery, MultiVarietal
  • Kolios Maratheftiko 2012, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine
  • Laxia Mavro 2015, Santa Irene Winery, Varietal wine

Special Distinctions

  • Mavro: Laxia Mavro 2015, Santa Irene Winery, Varietal wine
  • Maratheftiko: Ayios Fotios 2012, Kolios Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Morokanella: Gerolemo Morokanella 2016, Gerolemo Winery, varietal wine
  • Promara: Promara, 2016, Vouni Panayia Winery, Paphos regional wine
  • Xynisteri: Tsangarides Xynisteri 2016, Tsangarides Winery, Paphos regional wine

Judging Commitee: Demetri Walters MW, Gerarld Olivier, Marie-Laurence Porte, Apostolos Matamis, Dr. Soufleros Evangelos, Sotiris Neophytidis and Jean-Claude Ruf (president of the jury)

The Awards ceremony was celebrated at the Anabelle hotel presided by local authorities and the Director of the Department of Agriculture, in presence of international judges and leading panel of international journalists.

10th Competition, A milestone

The 10th edition of the Cyprus Wine Competition is somewhat a milestone and fittingly, it comes at a time where generational renewal in this young industry can be done in the most of confidence due to the preparedness of upcoming leadership.

2017 lifetime achievement award Cyprus wine competitionIt is in this context, that this years 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award, given at the ceremony went to Mr. Antonis Haggipavlos, honoring his charisma and industrious talent, having contributed to establish Etko and Olympus Wineries at the heart of modern development of  Wine in Cyprus.

We do wish the Haggipavlu family our very best in these months for a confident transition and congratulations to the Union Oenologists from Cyprus for having hosted the 10th Awards Ceremony.

Photo Credit: Award to Mr. Haggipavlos by Χρήστος Δημητρακόπουλος

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