Cyprus wines in the spotlight at annual competition

The island’s wines will once again be the focus of attention by international experts at the 14th Cyprus Wine Competition in Limassol this week.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the event, the island’s agriculture minister Petros Xenofontos expressed his ministry’s and the government’s support for the promotion of quality Cypriot wine.

“It is obvious that the benefits of organising such competitions are multiple, since they contribute significantly to the dissemination of knowledge, the encouragement of wine production, responsible consumption as part of culture and the Mediterranean diet, the promotion and presentation of the quality characteristics of the wines of Cyprus to the wider public, as well as the improvement of the technical and scientific skills of the wine producers of our country, and by extension, the increase in quality,” he added.

He also underlined that, as the Ministry of Agriculture and as a government, “we support any initiative that contributes to the promotion and promotion of quality wines of our country”.

The 14th Cyprus Wine Competition, which is taking place in Limassol under the auspices of the Ministry and the International Organisation of Vine and Wine is being co-organised by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Limassol Municipality, the Cyprus Winemakers Association (CYO), the Cyprus Graduate Oenologists Association (E.P.O.K.), the Cyprus Sommeliers Association, the Cyprus Oenophiles Association, the Famagusta Oenophiles Group and the Oenophile OenoArt Group.

Some 29 wineries in Cyprus and 163 different wine samples will participate in the competition, registered in two categories based on approved and recognised international standards. One category is that of dry, semi-dry and semi-sweet wines and the other category is that of sweet wines which contain sugars above 45 grams per litre.

Meanwhile, the seven-member jury, consists of Professor Dr Antonio Moráta, who is an oenologist of international scope with significant research work in the microbiology of wine, also includes oenologists Jelena Kuzmanović and Roman Herzog, chemical oenologist Panos Tzimas, sommeliers Umberto Galli Zugaro and George Kassianos as well as oenologist – academic Betty Darabont.

Xenofontos noted that since the competition’s establishment in 2006, it has managed to become the most important wine event in Cyprus.

For his part, the mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nicolaides, pointed out that Limassol is the main cradle of viticulture and winemaking on the island and honours Cypriot wine in various ways, with the top action being the great popular celebration of the Wine Festival, which this year will be held from October 7 to 15.

“Cypriot wine is not only the most historic wine in the world, but also holds an enviable position in world wine production. A position that is constantly improving, because today, Cyprus, apart from tradition, also has serious professionals and know-how in viticulture and wine production”, he said

Meanwhile, in his short greeting, the president of the jury, Moráta, expressed his joy to be on island “with the great tradition in wine production”, adding that for him it is a good opportunity to get to know better the way of wine production and the indigenous varieties.

“Yesterday I tasted several wines in the old port of Limassol, my impressions were very good, and I think you are on the right track,” he added.

The jury has already started tasting the wines, with the event culminating in an award ceremony and gala dinner on Friday, May 26, at the St. Raphael Resort & Marina Hotel, in Limassol.