Taste of India

Kudos to local Cypriot tastes exported

Cyprustasting-india
Triple kudos crown to them for organising and to Subhash Arora – Indian Wine Academy for reporting.

For the evening were presented by Sommelier Magan and his colleague, Gagan Sharma WSET Dip. It was a very palatable and educational evening that needs to be repeated frequently, a continual process that needs to be structured. But kudos to H.E Demetrios Theophylactou for spearheading a tasting that was long overdue and would certainly not have been easy to organise.

Also a great read – The wine tasting evening was greatly enjoyed by the guests by Radhika Puar a.k.a The Grape Vine

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Cyprus wine in Beirut

A first, is a first – select Cyprus Wine Tasting in Lebanon 🇱🇧 #hapening #privatetasting

Beirut cypruswine by Tirebouchonlb<<The hard work of the producers is reflected in the wine… most of the attendees appreciated that with diverse but all positive feedback on the wines tasted>> Toufic & Antoine ~ Tire Bouchon – terroirs et vins

Tasting took place today at the Baron gastrobar in Beirut among sommeliers and winelovers. A group tasting with the presence of Cyprus Ambassador, the consul and trade relations manager. The presented wines were hand-picked by Antoine and Toufic while on a an earlier visit to Cyprus facilitated by Stelios Afxentiou, Ministry of Commerce liason in Limassol.

Wineries that provided wines were Makkas Winery, Ezousa Winery, Zambartas Wines, Tsiakkas Winery, Lambouri Winery, Vouni Panayia winery

Cyprus-wine-decanted-tirebouchon Cypruswinetasting-beirut

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Enter the 8th Cyprus Wine Competition

Return of the Cyprus Wine Competition, an Update for the Cyprus Wine Sector

As a signal to a much desired return to normality for the Cyprus Wine sector, the 8th Cyprus Wine competition returns with a full agenda of activities co-organised by municipality of Limassol, The SOK (winery proprietors) and the Union of qualified Oenologists.

Since the annexing of the now extinct Cyprus Wine Council and interrupted since 2013, the local quality barometer for Cyprus Wine, makes an official return under the guidance of the department of Agriculture and a wider circle of co-organisers and supporting entities.

The competition judging will be held from the 22nd -24th of April and as in the past, it will be following the procedures of the International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV), open only to participating wines from Cyprus either as part of the Commandaria protected denomination, the protected geographical indication or specific varietal wines – all of which, will have obtained a certificate of conformity from the ministry to participate.

Update: 8th Cyprus Wine Awards Results

8th cyprus wine competition

A series of parallel events will be held across the island.

  • The continued Cyprus Wine Aroma series by the Cyprus Wine Academy will be further pursued as an itinerant Wine Salon from the 17th until the 20th – to be held in Nicosia, Paphos, Limassol and Paralimni successively
  • On going promotion activities and tastings at the Paphos and Larnaca airports 17th-25th April
  • Participating hotels and restaurants 17th-25th April
  • Wine seminar about Commandaria Wine production and Viticulture – 21st April
  • Closing Ceremony & Cyprus Wine Awards – Sunday 25th of April

Exceptionally, all events and celebrations will be held in memory of Oenologist Akis Zambartas, Cypriot Winemaker that passed away last November due to illness.  Our particular sparkle in the sky to eternally shine upon us.

The 8th Cyprus Competition Program can be downloaded via the link as seen in the image below

Fill the gap, taste the wine and earn a medal

Limassol Municipality steps forward in support of the 1st Cyprus Wine Competition of a new Era.

In a statement, the Limassol municipality acknowledged that it is the organization’s unique Wine Competition taking place in Cyprus, in accordance with Regulation tendering wine of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin, OIV) and under the patronage of the OIV

cyruswinecompetition

Two years since the Cyprus Wine Products Council was sent into inoperability by it’s last board members, finally the Cyprus Winemaker Association has sought out the implication of various entities in order to re-establish the annual judging so well executed by the council in it’s last editions.

An enormous gap to fill, which all entities involved will have to manage with the help of Cyprus Enologists  the Cyprus Association of Sommeliers whose main objectives will be to return part of the credibility lost, not so much in the wines but in a competition which had higher aims.

The seven-member jury composed of oenologists and other experts from Cyprus and abroad, will award 30% of the presented samples, in a 3 day competition to be helo in Limassol from the 4th until the 7th of June and extended awards will rank according to Grand Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals. Special awards will be given also to the wine categories such as  Xynisteri, Maratheftiko and a Commandaria.

The official announcement of the results and the presentation of diplomas will be held in Limassol, in a special event to award the late afternoon on Saturday June 7, 2014 at the Cultural Center Panos Solomonides.

The event, called symbolic “Open Doors”, the public will have the opportunity, buying a glass of wine and taste award-winning wines and chat with winemakers and experts of the Competition.

Smashing plates launch dinner with Maria Elia

Your chance to Participate and Win

Never did the Mediterranean bring out such an opportunity for renewal in taste

Scallops Watermelon Tomato Bean BaklavaBeets Feta Curd

A modern take on classic dishes inspired from within – Maria Elia’s Cyprus roots has served to bring out the virtues of fresh and wild ingredients into a collection of new world recipes.

Maria will be joined by 50 other guests for an eye opening premiere of Maria Elia’s four course meal dinning based on recipes from her new book SMASHING PLATES that is to be released on the 27th of September.

Winners will be announced shortly after closure of the draw on the 25th of September.

The Smashing Plates Book Launch dinner will take place at The Hospital Club in Covent Garden, London. The lucky winners will enjoy a stunning four course meal based on recipes from the book and receive their own signed copy of SMASHING PLATES on the night.

Also not to miss is Maria Elia’s stunning appearance on the SaturdayKitchen show demonstrating her cooking on stage one of her recipes from her book Smashing Plates.

Smashing Plates is published by Kyle Books released on the 26th of September, 2013.
At Amazon Smashing Plates: Greek Flavours Redefined (affiliate link)

Smashing plates to inspire Cyprus wine tastes

Magical Cooking by Maria Elia inspired in Cyprus to reach the bookshelves in time for aspiring winemaking

Smashing plates with maria elia

“Eat well feeds the soul” a fulfilled task endorses Ferrán Adrià, about Maria´s newest editorial proposal; Smashing Plates; Greek Flavours Redefined

That magical effect that cooking can bring to the palate, accompanied with wine, is an invitation to be inspired. Evolving tastes deeply rooted in one’s origins can also contribute to inspire other creators within the gastronomic spectrum to seek out how to match this renovation which calls also for adding news styles of wines, pushing the limits of local grapes and winemaking.

Smashing Plates is an invitation for those that love the fresh flavours of Greek and Mediterranean cuisines, and who are not afraid to be adventurous in the kitchen with flavours and combinations. The 120 recipes are inspired by Maria’s Cypriot roots and a summer spent cooking at her father’s taverna in the Troodos mountains.

From delicious vegetable dishes such as Carrot Keftedes to food of the seas such as Courgette and Feta Crumbed Squid, alongside a tempting range of sweet dishes including Watermelon Mahalepi, Rose Water and Almond chocolate tea cakes and Chocolate Tahini Cake.

Smashing Plates is a stunning compendium of Maria’s inventive recipes that will open the readers eyes to a whole new world of Greek cooking, with its focus on fresh food, vegetables and olive oil, is healthy, affordable and delicious. Maria’s inventive approach gives it a contemporary appeal.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqhEBzC-IbA&w=480&h=360]

Nothing like smashing recipes to inspire grape crushing and winemaking in Cyprus as work in the wineries goes into full swing.

About Maria Elia

Maria Elia Chef CookMaria Elia’s love of cooking developed as a child growing up in the kitchen of her Greek Cypriot father’s restaurant. After a rigorous apprenticeship, Maria began her progression through the culinary world. She worked in Italy, America and Australia, spent time cooking at El Bulli and Arzak restaurants in Spain and at The Oriental Cooking School in Bangkok. www.thisismariaelia.com

The regional flavours of these far-flung places feature in Maria’s own recipes with considerable originality, earning her many fans during her tenures as head chef at Delfina and the Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room, where she garnered 2 AA rosettes and a Michelin recommendation. During her time as the executive chef at Joe’s in South Kensington, Maria continued to astound with her imaginative and flavoursome dishes. Not surprisingly, she was voted one of the Top 10 Female Chefs to watch by the Independent. Maria has appeared regularly on television programmes, including BBC Saturday Kitchen, Market Kitchen and Perfect, and contributes to various publications such as, BBC Good Food Magazine, Olive, Waitrose, Delicious and The Guardian. Alongside The Modern Vegetarian, she is the author of the award-winning cookbook Full of Flavour, also published by Kyle Books.

Smashing Plates is published by Kyle Books and is to be released on the 26th of September, 2013.
At Amazon Smashing Plates: Greek Flavours Redefined (affiliate link)

Harvest in Cyprus has begun, The grapes are here

By all my Evoinos! The grapes have arrived. Cyprus Wine 2013 Vintage is on

Cyprus Grape harvest has begun.

It is with these creates of grapes that Harvest begins in Cyprus. A hearty welcome to the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes at the Zambartas Winery in Ayios Amvrosios

It feels like we’ve been suddenly relieved. As if it were a miracle, the lifecycle is put into gear again and we begin again. Eight months of the year listening and falling out to false expectations, these grapes, as international as they may be, right now they’re the most welcomed of guests that tonight will occupy the cool chambers of the winery.

The work has begun, and he who has no hand to lend, should now hold forever his peace.

All that wasn’t said and was left undone is just today part of a history chapter that has great chances of not even being written. That’s all for now, let’s just rejoice for the farmers, eonologists, wine makers and winery owners – the continuity has been ensured.

Great work ahead and Καλα κρασια (Kala krasia, Good Wine, Bon Vins)

Xynisteri reveals it’s second nature for Cyprus dry white wine

A secret about Cyprus Wine not to be taken as an advertisement – Xynisteri actually does age

Ezousa Xynisteri 2008
Most Xynisteri white wines produced in Cyprus are actually meant for year-in consumption. However, a few winemakers, exhibiting patience and care for longevity, have been as of late, pleasantly surprised about how Xynisteri expresses today it’s second nature.

The downside to this is that only few selected wineries and  have any well maintained stock to express this nature for the upcoming interest by Winelovers, yet this upcoming appreciation does open possibilities for expanding future styles of Xynisteri.

Pictured:  Xynisteri 100%, 2008 Ayios Chrysostomos, Ezousa Winery

The coming of Age of Xynisteri

A desirable appetite for New Generation Wines from Cyprus

Petritis Xynisteri Vertical Tasting in Kyperounda PitsiliaThat taste which washed away a 30 year myth – Is this a far fetched afterthought for Cyprus Wines and Xynisteri grape?

Don’t just take it from us,  seemingly, that past and sleepy giant is slowly but surely awakening to be appreciated again; A few years back it was in the words of  a surprised Jancis Robinson.

Some of the worst wine I have tasted since I started writing about wine was what was available the one time we went on holiday to the far-eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus in 1983. The whites showed the most old fashioned of faults, oxidation, clearly having been made without recourse to temperature control. Rather charmingly retro in a way.   BUT THE OTHER DAY,…..I came across this marvel, Kyperounda, Petritis Xynisteri 2011 Cyprus, so fresh and bursting with fruit

You can take reviews for whatever they’re worth, but in the context of wiping out 30 years of sustained negative review – the latest positive appreciation, is quite an achievement by the Petritis Xynisteri from Kyperounda.

Well done to the winemakers at Kyperounda Winery and the efforts of HallgartenDruitt (Novum Wines) and other importers, for taking a risk to  make more Cyprus Wines available on their local markets.

Update 2015: The upcoming 8th Cyprus Wine Competition is to be celebrated in Limassol during the month of April.


For your interest: The actual Cyprus Wine Competition results sets the quality benchmark for Cyprus Wines.

Here: Consult current Cyprus Wine Awards (2012) results.

Wines & Vines ZineFlip Through Cyprus Wines on your Device Wines and Vines from Cyprus - Evoinos Cyprus Wine

Decanter Awards Silver Lining for Cyprus Wine with Commandaria

The silver lining at the Decanter Awards 2013 for Cyprus Wine participation

Sodap Commandaria Decanter Awards 2013

The results are in,  Decanter Annual Awards of 2013 have been discerned and Cyprus Wines participating may have been the highest in recent years, if it hadn’t been for some significant wineries not participating among the 23 wines being judged in this 2013 edition.  Nonetheless, this year’s participating wines  do carry the spirit for Cyprus Wines and the constancy in the pursuit of further excellence.  Congratulations to the new wineries participating and to Sodap and 2002 vintage of St. Barnabas Commandaria – still carrying the flag for the absolute taste of Cyprus in Wine.

Below you may find a summary of the participating wines and wineries.

 Silver  Bronze  Commended
 Sodap Saint Barnabas 2002 Aes Ambelis Aes Ambelis Omiros 2010 Aes Ambelis Ektor 2010
K&K Vasilikon Winery Ayios Onoufrios 2010 Aes Ambelis Xinisteri-Semillon 2012
K&K Vasilikon Winery Methy 2009 Makkas Winery Gold, Chardonnay 2011
Prophet Elias Winery Gerolemo Muscat 2012 Makkas Winery Gold, Merlot 2010
Sodap Kamanterena Xynisteri 2012 Makkas Winery Gold, Rodostafylo 2012
Sodap Stroumbeli Maratheftiko Rosé 2012 Makkas Winery Syrah 2010
The Anama Concept Anama 2010 Prophet Elias Winery Gerolemo Riesling 2012
Prophet Elias Winery Gerolemo Roze Maratheftiko 2012
Sodap Kamanterena Rhine Riesling 2012
Sodap Mountain Vines Semillon 2012
Sodap Mountain Vines, Cabernet Sauvignon-Maratheftiko 2009
Sodap Stroumbeli Chardonnay 2012
Sodap Stroumbeli Shiraz 2009
The Anama Concept Anama 2009
Vouni Panayia Winery Barba Yiannis 2009