Your November 2021 host
Cyprus Sommelier Association
Since being given approval to host the 14th ASI Best Sommelier of Europe and Africa in 2016 the Cyprus Sommelier Association has been working hard to create a memorable event that will leave the right impression about Cyprus hospitality to all candidates and visitors. Although it has been postponed twice our resolve to host this contest has never waivered. The CY SOMMS team look forward to welcoming you to Limassol.
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS
Cyprus is a jewel in the Mediterranean Sea. This majestic island combines the mysteries of the ancient world, culture, and gastronomy. It’s a place where history and the vibrancy of modern life comes together. The vitality of its culture is matched only by its people, who welcome you to share in their local history, good food and wine.
What’s not to like about Cyprus? Beautiful blue flagged beaches with the cleanest waters in Europe, 340 days per year of sunlight, welcoming people and great food. However, Cyprus is much more than that. The island boasts a rich cultural heritage, authentic experiences and numerous activities in the scenic mountain villages and countryside, which combine for an unique getaway. Geography and gastronomy meet on one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, Cyprus; an exciting crossroads of tastes and aromas, a bridge of cultures with influences on the local gastronomy.
Enjoy Cypriot hospitality – Cyprus at its best!
….ENDLESS STORIES
In Limassol a vibrant culture of food and gastronomy awaits visitors. //
Limassol with its unique fusion of influences is a fascinating and exciting holiday destination and also a successful international business centre. It is a land where the traditional and modern co-exist offering desirable contemporary facilities yet still extending the local warm hospitality which characterizes Cyprus.
Limassol’s town center will charm you with its cobblestone streets, quaint buildings with overhanging terraces under which there are a profusion of small shops, restaurants and cafés. The vivacious city center seems to offer a journey through time where bright, energetic university students aiming for a brighter future stroll the campuses while just a few streets away the old market and ancient castle which link Limassol to its past. This graceful blending of old with new continues, as across the seafront one can appreciate the cosmopolitan side of Limassol with its contemporary business structures and modern apartment buildings. Discover Limassol and start your own story!
INTRODUCING THE CYPRUS SOMMELIER ASSOCIATION & CYPRIOT WINE
The Cyprus Sommeliers Association (CY SOMMS) was founded in 2001 and is considered Cyprus’ leading association of professionals in the hotel and restaurant industry. A member of ASI since 2003 the Association has been present in all activities of ASI including participation in the Best Sommelier of Europe and World contests. Led initially by Dr. Andreas Emmanuel and later by Iraklis Christoforou and its current President Georgios Kassianos, the association is the advocate of Cyprus’ sommeliers, aiming to promote the art and profession of sommelier in Cyprus.
ANCIENT HISTORY
The sweet Commandaria of Cyprus is a testament of that. It has a reputation as one of the classic, sweet wines of the world. Created by the 12th century Order of the Knights Templar, its name was officially registered in 1990 as a Protected Designation of Origin and is produced by only 14 villages. The native varieties Mavro and Xynisteri blended give the wines colour ranging from amber to almost deep red, with aromas and flavours of sweet preserves, dried fruits, nuts, bitter chocolate, caramel, honey, vanilla, pepper, coffee and sweet spices. A rich, velvety palate with a balanced taste and a long aromatic aftertaste. . Excellent as a dessert wine, it accompanies products of grape must such as soutzoukos (traditional, chewy sweet made from grape juice) and kiofteri (a Cypriot traditional handmade seasonal product from grape juice and flour) as well as dry nuts, sweet delicacies based on chocolate or caramel, with baklava or fruit cake, with Anari cheese and carob syrup or honey and aged savoury cheeses.
While Cyprus has an ancient winemaking history, the current situation presents a contrast to Cyprus’ wine heritage. Modern wines are beginning to emerge from Cyprus and the rest of the world is appreciating them for their uniqueness. Cypriot wine is part of a growing trend of regions producing top quality wines from indigenous varietals. Leading the charge for Cyprus is Xynestri for white wines while reds are led quantitatively by Ntopio Mavro while varietals such as Maratheftiko and Yiannoudi are proving to be very interesting…
UNIQUE VARIETALS //
White varietals include Xynisteri which is one of the most characteristic and the most widely planted from Cypriot whites. It is used for making dry and sweet wines, from Commandaria (in combination with the Ntopio Mavro grape) and in the production of Zivania. Zivania is known as the drink of the passionate, the company and the meze lover. Zivania is a wine pomace distillate of transparent color, with a high alcohol content. Other important indigenous white varietals include Promara (known for producing wine that is characterized by freshness both from lemony and exotic fruit aromas and flavours such as mango, melon, banana, citrus, as well as herbs, tobacco and vanilla (when matured in oak barrels) and finally mineral notes) along with Spourtiko (producing light-bodied, low acid wines with floral, citrus, herb and mineral notes), Morokanella (a rare variety producing medium to full-bodied wines with aromas include sweet stone fruits, citrus peels, quince, almond and white flowers and Vasilissa (gives round but fresh wines with a soft yellow green colour, with an intense and expressive nose with sweet aromas of powdered sugar and Yeroskipos delights, stone fruits, peach, citrus peels and white flowers).
As for red varietals, Ntopio Mavro is the most widely planted, indigenous variety of Cyprus and one of the two that are involved in the production of Commandaria and Zivania. Mavro is not a dynamic variety but gives table wines for early consumption, wines with moderate colour density, mild acidity, mild aromas and light taste. Maratheftiko, on the other hand is the most dynamic, indigenous variety of Cyprus, with the ability to produce full and aromatic wines, with round tannins and ageing possibilities. Similarly Yiannoudi has the potential to produce high quality medium to full-bodied wines, with cellar potential when aged in oak barrels. It gives both light as well as full body wines, thus covering all the preferences of demanding consumers. Finally Opthalmo (often blended with Mavro and Maratheftiko – two better known native grapes – is used to make approachable red wines for easy consumption.
QUALITY LEVELS AND APPELLATION SYSTEM
The Cyprus Vine Products council has based their wine appellation system on European Union law and now the Viticulture and Oenology Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment is responsible for enforcing the regulations.
Protected Geographical Indication (PGI/ΠΓΕ) Regulations state that 85% of the grapes used in the production of such wine originates form the specific geographical regions and from the registered vineyards. Vines must be more than 4 years old with a controlled annual yield per cultivated hectare (55hl/hectare or 70 hl/hectare depending on grape variety. Red wine must have a minimum of 11% alcohol content whilst rose and white minimum of 10%.
There are four designated areas (PGI) are:
LEFKOSIA, LEMESOS, LARNACA & PAFOS
Protected Designation of Origin (PDO/ΠΟΠ) is the most prestigious designation and in theory indicates a higher quality product. Wines with this designation must originate from registered vineyards of an altitude above 600 or 750 meters depending on location. Vines should be more than 5 years old, and yield is restricted to 36 or 45 hl per hectare depending on grape variety or 2200 plants per hectare in low cup-shaped or linear configuration. There are further regulations dictating the grape composition and ageing process. Irrigation is allowed until one month before harvesting, at which grapes must be capable of producing wines with a minimum alcohol content of 12% for red and 11% for white wines. Grapes intended for PDO appellation must be placed in suitable plastic crates to avoid pressing and crushing and mist be carried to winery’s premises without delay. Also, to qualify for PDO appellation bottle ageing for at least six months is necessary.
There are five regions are recognized as protected designations of origin (PDO’s):
COMMANDARIA, KRASOCHORIA LEMESOU, LAONA AKAMAS, VOUNI PANAYIA-AMPELITIS AND PITSILIA
The Cyprus wine industry, rich in historic indigenous grape varietals, is positioned to succeed in the modern wine world.