Maratheftiko, newcomers leave their mark
The fourth annual Cyprus Wine Competition was concluded last Saturday and the awards were presented at a Gala Dinner at the Grand Resort, Limassol. 32 wineries submitted 136 wines and 40 medals were awarded: two “Grand Gold”, 11 Gold and 27 Silver. The awards list mixes the various categories, so for the benefit of readers I have put them into categories.
As you may expect with just 32 wineries involved, there are some familiar names, but there are welcome newcomers like Makkas and Ignatiou. I am delighted at the success of small one-man wineries like Erimoudes of Koilani and Constantinou of Pera Pedi. Koilani shines, with three of its wineries getting medals, including our only lady winemaker Ioanna Ioannides who walks off with three Golds for her ‘sweeties’. The big wineries have often been castigated, so I am delighted to see the recognition given to SODAP.
Last week I was fearful that Maratheftiko might not get sufficiently noticed, but it has… well and truly… a “Grand Gold”, a Gold and four Silvers. There are some noticeable names missing from the medals, which I find curious, but even among a panel of seven, taste is a personal thing and one’s man’s Merlot is another man’s Merde.
Red Table Wines (dry unless otherwise indicated)
Grand Gold: Vasa Winery (Pambos Argyrides) Maratheftiko 2007
Gold:
Andesitis 2006 (Kyperounda)
Shiraz-Lefkada 2007 (Zambartas)
Constantino Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Erimoudes, Koilani)
Maratheftiko 2006 (Vardalis, Koilkani)
Silver:
Vasilia, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 (Zenon, Omodos)
Cabernet Sauvignon-Shiraz, 2006 (Domaine Hadjiantonas)
Shiraz 2007 (Costas Constantinou)
Stroumbeli Merlot 2006 (SODAP)
Omeros Maratheftiko 2007 (Aes Ambelis)
Shiraz 2007 (Constantinou Distillery)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (AES Ambelis)
Ktima Argyrides Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (Vasa)
Gerani Maratheftiko 2006 (Nicolas Ignatiou & Sons)
Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (Kyperounda)
Stroumbeli Maratheftiko 2006 (SODAP)
Ktima KEO red blend 2006 (KEO Malia)
Barba Yiannis Maratheftiko 2004 (Vouni-Panayia)
White Table Wines (dry unless otherwise indicated)
Gold:
Petritis Xynisteri 2007 (Kyperounda)
Silver:
Stroumbeli Chardonnay 2008 (SODAP)
Hadjiantonias Chardonnay 2006 (Domaine Hadjiantonas)
Mountain Vines Semillon 2008 (SODAP)
Chardonnay 2007 (Kyperounda)
Makkas White blend 2007 Medium-dry (Makkas)
Rigena Xynisteri 2008 (Tsalapatis Wines)
AES Ambelis White 2007 (Aes Ambelis)
Ayioklima 2008 (Costas Constantinou)
AES Ambelis White 2008 (Aes Ambelis)
Persefoni Xynisteri 2008 (Kolios)
Rosé Table Wines
Silver:
Aphrodino 2008 Medium-dry Grenache (Nicolaides)
Tsangarides Shiraz 2008 (Tsangarides)
Kyperounda Mediun-dry blend 2008 (Kyperounda)
Levanta Medium-dry 2008 (Costas Constantinou)
Commandaria and Sweet Wines
Grand Gold
Saint Nicholas Commandaria 2000 (ETKO)
Gold
St John Commandaria (KEO)
Moscato Muscat of Alexandria 2006 (Ayia Mavri)
Moscato Muscat of Alexandria 2007 (Ayia Mavri)
Muscat of Alexandria 2008 (Ayia Mavri)
Commandaria 2000 (Lambouris)
Silver
Moscatos Muscat of Alexandria 2008 (SODAP)
