A familiar art form or a tradition, women in the vineyards since time immemorial have helped sustain the wine trade and bring it to where it is today. Her progression hasn’t stop here thankfully.
For her presence, ever-lasting contributions, which makes us feel very blessed to join them as travel companions towards the unending feat of balanced authenticity.
In a world of ephimeral fashions and trends, it’s highly appreciative to read and see how far the good old curiosity can take you in modern day world of wine.
Follow this not to miss account on modern day cypriot rosés written and instigated by Elizabeth Gabay MW, joined by Sarah Jane Evans MW and masterly serviced by fellow MW, Yiannis Karakasis – yet another mark of his passage on the island this late spring.
We raise our glasses for their appreciation and the lovely line up pictured above by its author. Panta Kala Krasia
April 25, 2016 – Wolfbach11, Wolfbachstrasse 11. Zurich is the host city to open a series of wine events related to the Cyprus Wine. The first of such occasion to bringing winemakers and winelovers together has been made possible by the guiding selection of Paphos Wein Imports, promoting Cyprus Wines in Switzerland for a decade now
The wine scene in Cyprus has evolved dynamically in recent years and high altitude vines grown in the high-altitude foothills of the Troodos mountains enable winemakers to produce sought out and complex wines, that combine Mediterranean charm, structure and freshness in itself.
The Zurich event, Zypern: Viel Neues von der Insel, organised jointly with Mettler Vaterlaus, will be a tasting of new vintages made possible by Paphos Wein with the showcase for the long-established varieties like Xynisteri, Maratheftiko or Lefkada as well as from international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon and even the much celebrated revival of Commandaria Sweet Wine.
Guests will be able to meet and talk with Winemakers which be on hand in representation of the wineries from Ezousa, Etko, Makkas, Tsiakkas and Zambartas – all in the fore front of winemaking in Cyprus – An excellent opportunity to renew contact.
The event
15:30 to 17:00
Free tasting for professionals. Admission free. Registration required.
17:00 to 20:00
Free tasting for wine lovers. Admission free. Registration required.
Particiapting Wineries
Ezousa Winery
Etko Wines
Makkas Winery
Tsiakkas
Zambartas Wineries
Date
Monday, April 25, 2016
3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Wolfbach11, Wolfbachstrasse 11, 8032 Zurich
The Cyprus Wine Awards seem to highlight a growing commitment from wineries to Commandaria, it also set a challenge to the judges which decided not to award bronze in favour of high number of wines qualifying for silver. With a tally of a total of 3 grand golds, 16 golds and 24 silver medals awarded, the Commandaria Wines swept top awards, seemingly seducing the judging panel and confirming its good health among the 139 wines labels that participated in the 10 categories of the 8th Cyprus Wine competition. The special distinction for vinification of top local varieties Xynisteri and Marathetiko went to Ezousa Winery, while for Commandaria, it was Keo 1984 Commandaria which captured the distinction. The 2015 Cyprus Wine Competition Awards and Medals list goes as follow: Grand Gold: Commandaria Wine – St.John 1984 from Keo Winery Commandaria Wine – Centurion 2000 from Etko Winery Commandaria Wine – Alasia 2004 from Loel Winery
Categories with Gold Medals: Commandaria Wines
Gold awarded Red Dry Wines
Gold Awarded White dry Wines:
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
A series of parallel events will be held across the island.
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
Akis Zambartas, Cypriot Winemaker transformed into the cornerstone of wine education in Cyprus passes away at the young age of 67 years due to illness. Marcos Zambartas and family will carry on the legacy established by this french-schooled ‘Amant du vin et de la vie‘. Bon Voyage nôtre ami Akis.
The results are in, and our faith restored.
The 2014 Decanter Annual Awards have a single most outstanding revelation. You guessed it, Aes Ambelis was highly rewarded for it’s consistency and the wise introduction of Commandaria in its portfolio that did not go unnoticed by the 2014 Decanter Award judges.
Winemaking and pursuit of medals is not an end in itself, but it’s a relevant barometer of appreciation. Congratulations to the new wineries participating and to Aes Ambelis for it’s outstanding effort with 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.
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Commended |
| Aes Ambelis Commandaria |
Aes Ambelis White 2013 | Ktima Gerolemo Maratheftiko 2013 |
Aes Ambelis Aes Ambelis Omiros 2011 |
| Ktima Gerolemo Xynisteri 2013 |
Ktima Gerolemo Maratheftiko 2012 |
Aes Ambelis Rosé 2013 |
|
| K&K Vasilikon Winery Methy 2009 | K&K Vasilikon Winery Einalia 2013 |
Ktima Gerolemo Xynisteri 2013 | |
| Makkas Red 2012 | K&K Vasilikon Winery Xynisteri 2013 |
Makkas Xynisteri 2013 | |
| Sodap Kamanterena Lefkada-shiraz 2013 |
Makkas Winery Syrah 2010 |
Makkas Rodostafylo Rosé 2013 |
|
| Sodap Saint Barnabas Commandaria 2005 |
Ktima Gerolemo Riesling 2013 |
Makkas Maratheftiko 2011 |
|
| Zambartas Maratheftiko 2011 | Zambartas Shiraz-lefkada 2012 | Makkas Merlot 2011 | |
| Zambartas Maratheftiko 2012 |
Zambartas Xynisteri 2013 | Sodap Stroumbeli Maratheftiko 2009 |
|
| Sodap Kamanterena Xynisteri Semillon 2013 |
|||
| Sodap Lefkada-shiraz 2010 |
* Wines listed in table are in Alphabetic order
** Photography – vivino
Perseverance and dedication to the timeless wine from Cyprus.
Saturday, June 7th, the cultural center of Panos Solomonides in Limassol, symbolical “Open Doors” gave the public a unique opportunity to taste award-winning wines as distinguished by the panel of 7 judges invited for the occasion. The 1st wine competition of a new era, managed independently of the Cyprus Wine Products Council and under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture under the OIV rules managed to discern 33 awards between Grand Gold, Gold and Silver and the 3 special added categories for local wine & grape varieties.
Below you may find a summary of the distinguished wines and wineries.
| Grand Gold | Gold | Silver |
| Kyperounda, Chardonnay 2013 | Etko, St. Nicholas Commandaria 2009 | K&K Vasilikon Winery Methi 2009 |
| Loel, Alasia Commandaria 2007 | Mosxatos, Ayia Mavri 2012 | Keo Cabernet Sauvignon/Blanc Rosé 2013 |
| Keo, St. John Commandaria | Vouni Panayia Barba Yiannis 2012 | |
| Vlassides, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 | Makkas Syrah 2011 | |
| Mosxatos, Ayia Mavri 2011 | Vlassides Shiraz 2012 | |
| Kyperounda Shiraz, 2012 | Kyperounda Petritis Xynisteri 2013 | |
| Dafermou White 2013 | Erimoudes Athina 2013 | |
| Kyperounda Epos Red 2011 | Yiaskouris White 2013 | |
| Makkas Chardonnay 2013 | Constantinou Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 | |
| Constantinou Shiraz 2011 | Tsiakkas Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 | |
| Makkas Maratheftiko 2011 | Kyperounda Rosé 2013 | |
| Keo Xynisteri 2013 | K&K Vasilikon Winery Vasilikon 2013 | |
| Kyperounda Epos White 2013 | ||
| Vlassides White 2013 | ||
| Constantinou Ayioklima Xynisteri 2013 | ||
| Tsiakkas Xynisteri 2013 |
Xynisteri: Keo, Xynisteri 2013
Maratheftiko: Makkas Winery, Maratheftiko 2011
Commandaria: Loel, Alasia Commandaria 2007
Paphos Regional Wine – Kyperounda Chardonnay 2013
Limassol Regional Wine – Mosxatos Ayia Mavri 2012
Limassol Regional Wine – Vlassides Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Paphos Regional Wine – Makkas Winery, Maratheftiko 2011
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
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.
The Cork Tax and Wine Monopolies. How can you help? If you live in New York, click on the link below and follow the instructions. If you do not live in New York, share and spread the word to everyone you know who loves wine. With enough support and activism, we can defeat the proposed Cork Tax and go about what we enjoy doing most – sharing and drinking good wine.
