Smashing plates launch dinner with Maria Elia

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Evoinos

Your chance to Participate and Win

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

Scallops Watermelon Tomato Bean Baklava Beets 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

Posted on August 29, 2013 by Evoinos

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

“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’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

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Evoinos

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

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

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Evoinos

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

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

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Evoinos

A desirable appetite for New Generation Wines from Cyprus

That 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 Zine: Flip Through Cyprus Wines on your Device

Decanter Awards Silver Lining for Cyprus Wine with Commandaria

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Evoinos

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

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

Vouni Panayia Winery New Visual Identity

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Evoinos

Capturing a time and a place in Panayia.

The passing of generations of winemaking in Panayia has bred life for a new generation with passion, great care and enthusiasm inspired by Andreas Kyriakides and family which have place with relentless faith in indigenous grapes cultivated exclusively in the winery’s vineyards carrying all distinctiveness of the Panayia region.

The Mouflon still plays a prominent role on the label, standing prominently, a clear reflection of mountain viticulture. Although a much younger stylized icon with the letter V as a unique element common to the newly designed labels symbolizing the new generation of Kyriakides family that play an active part nowadays in running the winery.

A newly redesign of it’s visual identity, Vouni Panayia Winery opens itself to a renewal with the launch of new labels that unveil the past, focus on the present and looks towards the future as a reflection of the foundations and vision of the family winery incorporates younger winemaking generation. All wines from Vouni Panayia Winery will incorporate new label design.

Mondial du Rosé, a natural habitat for Maratheftiko

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Evoinos

Honor to Rosés and honor to the Mondial du Rosé competition with Cyprus Wine.

Recent participation of Sodap Wines in this 10th edition of the international competition Le Mondial du Rosé evokes not only the constancy of a Rosé winemaking in Cyprus but also the natural adequacy which the endemic Maratheftiko has for making splendid rosés. The question remains as to why there aren’t more wineries participating in this annual event organised by the French Union of Oenologues.

Rosé owes this achievement to the ambition and determination of winegrowers and producers to master the highly complex technical and wine-making specifics these wines require.

Indeed, a category of wines that has legitimately outgrown clichés of summer and picture perfect vacation wines. It is thus that not only we celebrate the Silver Medal for Stroumbeli Maratheftiko Rosé but also our most sincere congratulations to the organisers for reaching such a significant milestone.

Meet me all the way in Limassol with a thirst for Cyprus

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Evoinos

That’s our pledge: to meet you half-way today with an open appetite for a Nature of Wine made in Cyprus.

I’ll spare you the pity, envy and the pleas for help.

We are of the idea, that only the goodness, of what one has genetically to offer, is what will prevail. The culture is there, the assets and the people, what remains is a bit of coordination for a common agenda.

Over 6.000 years of winemaking on the island can’t be made wrong by a generation of leadership ill-prepared for that changing nature of modern society which has overtaken them. Here’s to a grand generalisation!

Yet, it’s all around us, and it seems already for too long, that we have been short-changing our efforts, working at odds with each other and increasing the costs for meaningful progress. This affects current branches of government and the boards of semi-public organisations hungry for that presidential decree of renewal. There is still hope , hope that the bail-out crisis is put behind us swiftly, because that’s where it belongs. We make the following words ours too:

We live this unique moment, as a time to assert our readiness to meet you halfway in creating those vital experiences for you to treasure.

Today, it’s in Limassol. Tomorrow, let’s plan to meet you there.

Limassol Greets it’s Winemakers – Cyprus Wine Tasting

Pictured Clockwise: Casks at Etko Winery, Wine Country Ayios Amvrosios, Maratheftiko Red from Makkas, Nicolaides Winemaker and Xynisteri from Tsangarides Winery

The ultimate Sommelier Challenge: above all a celebration

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Evoinos

Update: Congratulations to Paolo Basso, crowned new World Best Sommelier 2013 in Tokyo.

Arrived from around the world in Tokyo Tuesday, Candidates from 54 countries will compete over three days to win the title of world’s best sommelier at a competition organised by the ASI (Association de la Sommellerie Internationale) and whose winner of the Sommelier Competition will be determined on Friday at the Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa in Tokyo.
vasos manol tokyo asi

Vasos Manoli, Candidate for Cyprus, expressed to AFP (Agence France Press), that the event above all, could be interpreted as a celebration – whereby one of the virtues of wine ‘has by nature the has the capacity of reconciling people’.

“It’s been six months since I stopped my work to prepare myself fully in this competition” did he admit to the microphones of the AFP. He will be competing with world’s best at a competition that is held every 3 years and where current world champion sommelier, Gerard Basset will also be at hand for the judging.

#BestSomm2013

Update: 27/3 Vasos Manolis had passed to the quarter finals. Photo Credit: Cyprus Sommelier Association

Update: 29/3 Top 3 Sommeliers competing in the Final in Tokyo are Canadian Veronique Rivest, Swiss Paulo Basso & Belgian Aristide Spies

World Best Sommelier Final Wines Tasted

Spirits: Kirsch Massenez (France); Vana Tallinn Liqueur (Estonia); Xaica Liqueur Ibiscus (Mexico); Picon Amer France; Commandaria 2004 (Kyperounda) Cyprus; Liqueur de Tomate (la Tomato) Japan;

Wines: Albert Moreau Aigrots 2005 Premier Cru Beaune (France ; Yarden Pinot Noir Galilée (Israel); Juan Gil 2010 Monastrell Jumilla (Spain); Sula 2011 (India)

The new World’s Best Sommelier Paolo Basso – Crowned in Tokyo Japan today

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A nature of wine from Cyprus