Commandaria at Decanter, now golden lining of Cyprus Wine

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The golden lining at the Decanter Awards 2014 for Cyprus Wine participation

commandaria-aesambelis

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.

grape harvest cyprus commandaria region sun drying grapes

Open Doors to the Limassol Wine Awards

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The New Era Wine Competition in Limassol discerns medals to local wines

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

Special Category Distintiction

Xynisteri: Keo,  Xynisteri 2013
Maratheftiko: Makkas Winery, Maratheftiko 2011
Commandaria: Loel, Alasia Commandaria 2007

Top Rated White Wine

Paphos Regional Wine – Kyperounda Chardonnay 2013

Limassol Regional Wine – Mosxatos Ayia Mavri 2012

Top Rated Red Wine

Limassol Regional Wine – Vlassides Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2011

Paphos Regional Wine – Makkas Winery, Maratheftiko 2011

 

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Fill the gap, taste the wine and earn a medal

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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.

Say No to Wine Monopolies – Say No to the Cork Tax

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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.

Commandaria – un legado de calidad en los vinos de Chipre

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Commandaria – un legado de calidad en los vinos de Chipre

Herencia antigua, y con interpretación moderna,  surge una nueva generación de vitivinicultores.
Lefteris Mohianakis tiene viñedos en las altas colinas cerca de la ciudad de Zoopigi. Las dos uvas que utiliza, Mavro, una uva roja, y Xynisteri, una blanca,
“Verdaderamente creo que el terroir (la geología y clima de un lugar) es una de las cosas más importantes para producir un vino de alta calidad”

grape harvest cyprus commandaria region sun drying grapes

Saturday Morning kitchen’s Smashing Plates Recipes

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How to overcome a late night and early morning stress, before cooking, for the live show Saturday Kitchen?

And especially, How does Maria Elia do it? 

slow braised pork maria elia

Smashingplates recipe and Cyprus Grapes to match Promara, Maratheftiko, Xynisteri

Our guess is as good as yours, until she tells us….but receiving lot’s of encouragement and support can truly make the difference.

Focusing on the cooking is also another!

but how about food matching with wines?

Which wine do you think she would preffer to match her special cooking on this edition of Saturday Kitchen – Slow Braised pork with wilted greens, olives and capers?

a) a rare grape Promara  white wine from Vouni Panayia,  b) a Maratheftiko Rosé from Ezousa or c) a fresh young white Xynisteri?

Can you guess it? Because she will tell us when she’s done.

What a day for Maria – great cooking!

About SmashingPlates
All Maria’s Cooking can be found on her recently publish SmashingPlates book just launched

Zambartas, Vins de Chypre C’est quoi ça? Réponse á tout!

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Dans un Français fluide l’ oenologue et propriètaire Akis Zambartas fait une mise au point avec Benoit Gaboriaud sur les points forts de Chypre.

“Le vignoble chypriote est le seul en Europe qui n’a pas de phylloxéra. Il y en a trois dans le monde, ils commencent tous par ch : Chine, Chili et Chypre. On a une viticulture ininterrompu depuis 6 500 ans. On a aussi des cépages autochtones. Donc pas de phylloxéra, cépage autochtone planté sur leurs propres racines, c’est ce qui donne l’intérêt à Chypre.”

Akis zambartas vins de chypre

Suivre l’info: Chez Mensup

Les vins de Chypre

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Wines for Smashing Plates have set sail

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Discovering a nature of wine

Cyprus Wines for Smashing Plates Ezousa,Anama,Vouni Panyia Wineries

A bold book launch by Maria Elia #SmashingPlates could not deserve anything less.

Under the Evoinos guidance, we’ve packed Cyprus Indigenous white and red grapes to support the Smashing Plates book launch receptions taking place during the month of October in London.

Three bold wineries of Vouni Panayia, Ezousa and Anama will represent a consequent representation of wines aspiring for renewal and reach, embodying the essence of what we like to call – The New Generation Wines of Cyprus.

Xynisteri, Spourtiko and Promara white grapes will be matched by Maratheftiko and Mavro red and rosé wines for the different plates proposed by enlightening Chef Maria Elia.

We cannot but be thankful and humbled by the effort and willingness to collaborate by the present winemakers, Andreas Kyriakides, Michalis Constantinides and Lefteris Mohianakis at a time where quality winemaking in Cyprus is being challenged by all surrounding elements.

Success to an onward journey to the participants in captivating an eager audience for enhanced Mediterranean Tastes sourced from Cyprus.

lefteris mohianakis anama wines

Grape moves inspiring Cyprus winemaking

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High altitude harvest in Cyprus, brings out it’s true nature of wine

Cyprus Grape harvest

Grapes, vines and people – generations of family led vine-keeping takes a special turn during harvest. A space in time where all uncertainties affecting nature can be put to rest and where the human mind can now focus on synchronicity of work.

It’s in the Commandaria region where it all happening integrally for Cyprus Wine, lot’s of humility for your winemakers and a readiness for reciprocate exchanges.