Commandaria flagship, Commandaria bastion of resilience

It’s a return to safe harbor – Commandaria excels in quality and appreciation at the 10th Cyprus Wine Award Ceremony 2017.

It happened yesterday, on the closing bell – 6th of May 2017, at the Annabelle Hotel. The Cyprus wine sector can feel at ease again, as  if there were any doubts, Commandaria rises above all.

There are no tribulations which can resist to the charm and quality evidenced by the Grand Gold recognition awarded to Aes Ambelis.
GrandGoldCommandaria - 10th Cyprus wine competition
We would like to see this recognition also as a collective award that honors a living heritage in Cyprus.  It’s a heritage which still provides us with wise wine teachings and all Cyprus Winemakers should celebrate it. This is also as a reward for a collective and persistent belief that further investment in the quality of Commandaria is a key to the future of winemaking in Cyprus.

We would like express our most sincere congratulations to the winners and all participants, to the jury and invited journalists for their commitment, to the numerous individuals involved in the logistics of making the competition happen and most of all, to the Union of Cyprus Oenologists and in particular, Mr George Kassianos whose particular implication and investment, enabling for the 10th Award Ceremony to be celebrated at the Hotel Annabelle, which was undeniably spectacular.

For the list of results of the Cyprus Wine Competition follow the link – Cyprus Wine Competition 2017

Commandaria at Decanter, now golden lining of Cyprus Wine

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

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

The ultimate Sommelier Challenge: above all a celebration

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

Final wines for best sommelier challenge

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

PaoloBasso world best sommelier 2013

commandaria Cyprus wine gold

Commandaria – golden lining of Cyprus Wine

‘L’incontournable’ of Cyprus Wines

Stars are never dormant, otherwise we would never know of them.

Such is Commandaria wine, the classic style of fortified wine from Cyprus, perceived as a dormant gem yet with a reputation anchored in history, whose quality remains defiant to all modern still wines made on the island.

The Golden standard set by Commandaria, as judged annually in competitions, is today not only a  standard in wine making but also one of wine appreciation, a unique taste that has resisted yesterday’s rush for homogenization and market standardization by maintaining the innate qualities that are borne out from the sun, the vineyards and a wine making process that is authentically Cypriot. Continue reading