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 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

Grand Excitement for Prowein, Good luck Vasos

As all the wine converges in Dusseldorf,

It isn’t without some regret that two years ago we set our sight onto attending the Dusseldorf Wine Exhibition, and on the eve of the official opening, we can feel the energy, even if miles away, unpacking and sorting the wines before grand opening.

It’s our understanding that after the hellish week experienced to reach a Cyprus Bailout compromise, there is nothing like renewing bonds around wine.

To Another Great Year in Wine – See you next year 2014.

Coincidentally, also embarking for a World Wine Adventure, would be Vasos Manoli, Cyprus Sommelier Association candidate to the World Sommelier Championship by ASI in Tokyo, Japan – and to whom we extend are best of wishes in the competition. Years in waiting have finally proven worth it’s while.  Best of Luck Vasos

Vasos Manoli, Cyprus Sommelier Association Candidate

OIV rules apply to the Cyprus Wine Competition

Cyprus Wine Competition adheres to the OIV rules for judging and  the process can strongly impact  judges unfamiliar with the strict judging protocol.

Judging under OIV rules in Cyprus, work with more feel

If the judging competitions risks resembling a grammar school dream class (not the case above), achieving consensus can in some cases provoke for discussions and re-tasting wines until final note is awarded, dexterity here to be played by the judge presiding the panel.

The 2012 juding in Cyprus presided for the third consecutive year by Rowald Hepp, included testimonial of exception in the name of Tom Cannavan as participating judge can also  attests that the OIV rules can be needlessly strict, especially in the case of those categories where the set of participating wines is extremely reduced.

Although we’re less optimistic about the OIV reviewing it’s rules by the next edition of the Cyprus Wine Competition, we do count that the same high level of performance and world class judging will be performed under the OIV rules as in the past editions.

The upcoming edition of the 2013 Cyprus Wine Competition will be celebrated in Cyprus during the last week of May, from the 28th until the 31st of May, 2013 in Cyprus.

2012 Judging panel was composed of 9 judges: Miroslav Kalinic, Vasos Manoli, Denis Rudenko, Tamas Oroszlan,Maria Tzitzi, David Seijas, Jean Luc Berger, and Tom Cannavan presided by Rowald Hepp.

Thessaloniki smiles at Fikardos Wines

The International Wine Competition of Thessaloniki rewards outstanding wine effort by Fikardos Winery

The results from judging were annouced at the awards ceremony celebrated during the detrop Oenos event on the occasion of the Helexpo in Thessaloniki, where Cyprus Wines distinguished themselves, where Fikardos Cabernet Sauvignon topped the classification with Grand Gold medal among other Cyprus Wine participants Sodap and Keo Commandaria and Kolios wines which obtained gold. Fikardos shares Grand Gold distinction with wineries from the Peloponese and Crete also in the red wine category.
The awards ceremony was  held Saturday, March 9, 2013 in Thessaloniki organised by the  Wine Producers Association of the Northern Greece Vineyard which operates according to OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) standard for International Wine and Spiritious Beverages of Vitivinicultural Origin Competitions.

 

Fikardos Winery elaborates Regional Wines from Paphos under leadership of Theo Fikardos in Mesogi, Paphos.