Category Archives: Wine in Cyprus

Sun, sea, wine and Cyprus good vibes

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The 11th edition of the Cyprus Wine Fair Exhibit will open its doors to welcome winelovers and trade professionals at Nissi Beach on the 6th of April 2024. It is always an opportunity of renewal, the precious moment to strengthen bonds enhanced by a culture of wine – especially poignant at a moment of extreme gravity from the conflict neighboring our shores.

Hosted by the Famagusta ‘Bacchus’ Wine Club, it is testimonial not only as a commitment to the wines and wineries of Cyprus, but also an engagement towards developing appreciation for Cyprus Wines in the eastern coast region of Ammochostos.

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New ‘old’ on the wine blog roll

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Confinement did get some folks thinking and probably moving ahead with side projects.

Here’s another, TheBudBreak; used to be a blog, a genuine attempt in teaming up for a nature of wine expressed, with a certain taste for a Pafian Terroir. Better luck in the future – Keep making great wines

Results of 10th Cyprus Wine Competition

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The Cyprus Wine Sector celebrated it’s Annual Award ceremony closing 4 days of judging for the 10th Cyprus wine competition. Led by an international panel of judges invited by the department of Agriculture, the event was held again under the auspices of the OIV but hosted by the Union of Cyprus Oenologists.

In a contest with 31 participating wineries, the most testimonial proof of the increasing quality of winemaking in this years edition, is that the judges decided not to award bronze medals so as to better reflect the tendency of a higher number of wines earning higher scores.

A tally of 52 awards were given, a total 16 gold and 30 silver medals, a Grand Gold and 5 special distinctions for wines vinified with local varieties.

While 147 wine labels participated in the competing categories of the 10th Cyprus Wine competition, a worthy mention must be made about the growing number of special mentions for vinified with local varieties. Promara, Morokanella and Mavro have since consolidated themselves in the competition with an ever growing number of references.
The special distinction for vinification with top local varieties Xynisteri and Maratheftiko have had surprise outcomes this year.

The counterpart of the special distinctions shine in their own light, while for Commandaria, Aes Ambelis proves its consistency since it’s recent launch, the Promara and Morokanella whites go to the undisputed Vouni Panayia and Gerolemo wineries.

Of notable observation is the strong show of rosés, an amazing first, that rosé wines have become real contenders of high quality wines. While on a lower note, the few number of outstanding reds performing in the competition is surprising – this either reflects the imbalance of judging tilting negatively the results and/or, possibly a message sent to winemakers, for the need of more patience when setting the release of their wines.
Finally, a subtle observation about the set up for such a small national competition, we found it odd that the line-up of tables in classroom style was one which least facilitated discussion,  for sure differences in points at some instances of the judging must have not been easily consensuated with this table format.

Without further comments, The 2017 Cyprus Wine Competition Awards and Medal list goes as follow:

Grand Gold: Commandaria Wine – Aes Ambelis 2010.

Categories with Gold Medals: Commandaria Wines

  • Ayia Mavri Commandaria 2011, Ayia Mavri Winery
  • Alasia Commandaria 2001, Loel Industries
  • Theodora Commandaria 2013, Karseras Winery
  • St. Nicholas Commandaria 2013, Etko Winery
  • Saint Barnabas Commandaria 2002, Sodap Kamenterena Winery
  • Tsiakkas Commandaria 2011, Tsiakkas Winery

Gold awarded Red Dry Wines

  • Saint Fotios, Maratheftiko 2012, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine
  • Kolios, Shiraz/Merlot blend 2010, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine

Gold Awarded White dry Wines:

  • Tsangarides Xynisteri 2016, Tsangarides Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Grifos 2 Sauvignon blanc 2016, Vlasides Winery – Limassol regional wine
  • Ayioklima Xynisteri 2016, Constantinou Winery, Limassol regional wine
  • Persefoni Xynisteri 2016 White, Kolios Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Tsangarides Chardonnay 2016, Tsangarides Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Keo Xynisteri 2016, Keo Winery, varietal wine

Gold Awarded Rosé Wines:

  • Aes Ambelis Rosé 2016, Multivarietal wine

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Stellar Commandaria leads the 8th Cyprus Wine Awards

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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

  • Tsiakkas Commandaria 2008, Tsiakkas Winery
  • Kyperounda Commandaria 2005, Kyperounda Winery
  • Kalamos Commandaria 2009, Nicholas Ignatiou & Sons
  • St. John N.V Commandaria, Keo Winery
  • G.Athenodorou Commandaria 2007, G. Athenodorou & Sons
  • Saint Barnabas Commandaria 2005, Sodap Kamenterena Winery
  • St. Nicholas Commandaria 2010, Etko Winery

Gold awarded Red Dry Wines

  • Metharme 2009, Ezousa Winery – Paphos Regional Wine
  • Vlasides Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Vlasides Winery – Limassol regional wine
  • Constantinou Shiraz 2012, C.G. Constantinou – Limassol Regional Wine
  • Kolios, Shiraz 2008, Kolios Winery, Paphos Regional Wine
  • Constantino, Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Erimoudes Winery, Limassol Regional Wine

Gold Awarded White dry Wines:

  • Ezousa Xynisteri 2014, Ezousa Winery, Pafos regional wine
  • Epos Chardonnay 2013, Kyperounda Winery, Limassol Regional Wine (gold)

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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

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

The coming of Age of Xynisteri

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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 Zine: Flip Through Cyprus Wines on your Device Wines and Vines from Cyprus - Evoinos Cyprus Wine

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

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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