Activities come and go, with steady change on the forefront
Spring on the island is a busy one in a positive way, with events abroad, wine competitions, MW visits, tending to the vines, attending local tastings, maybe a new label launch, adverse weather…etc and before you know it, it’s harvest again.
Gone with Evoinos
It’s go! Kala Krasia
As a signal to a much desired return to normality for the Cyprus Wine sector, the 8th Cyprus Wine competition returns with a full agenda of activities co-organised by municipality of Limassol, The SOK (winery proprietors) and the Union of qualified Oenologists.
Since the annexing of the now extinct Cyprus Wine Council and interrupted since 2013, the local quality barometer for Cyprus Wine, makes an official return under the guidance of the department of Agriculture and a wider circle of co-organisers and supporting entities.
The competition judging will be held from the 22nd -24th of April and as in the past, it will be following the procedures of the International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV), open only to participating wines from Cyprus either as part of the Commandaria protected denomination, the protected geographical indication or specific varietal wines – all of which, will have obtained a certificate of conformity from the ministry to participate.
Update: 8th Cyprus Wine Awards Results
Akis Zambartas, Cypriot Winemaker transformed into the cornerstone of wine education in Cyprus passes away at the young age of 67 years due to illness. Marcos Zambartas and family will carry on the legacy established by this french-schooled ‘Amant du vin et de la vie‘. Bon Voyage nôtre ami Akis.
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
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.
Never did the Mediterranean bring out such an opportunity for renewal in taste
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
“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.
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
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)
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
That taste which washed away a 30 year myth – Is this a far fetched afterthought for Cyprus Wines and Xynisteri grape?
It’s real as it can be…..Read on
Wines & Vines Zine: Flip Through Cyprus Wines on your Device 
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 |
A Nature of Wine 