The fourth annual Cyprus Wine Competition will take place in Limassol at the Grand Resort Hotel from March 11-14. The competition aims to provide a forum for the European and international recognition of Cypriot wine, challenging local producers to improve the quality of their products.

“The competition has now established international recognition as it is held for the second time under the auspices of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), as well as the European Commission and the President of the Republic of Cyprus,” said Yiannakis Georgiades, General Director of the Wine Products Council, which is organising the competition, in collaboration with the Thessaloniki International Wine Competition.

A total of 136 local products by 33 wine producers will be evaluated by a seven-member jury, comprising five international and two Cypriot sommeliers. The judges were selected based on their international experience in wine competitions and their recognised organoleptic sampling abilities.

Four categories of wines will be examined in the competition: dry white still wines, dry rose still wines, dry still red wines and vins doux naturels-liqueur wines. All wines of Cypriot origin were allowed to take part in the competition, provided they were produced according to national and EU regulations.

“Only wines of local origin or appellation as the competition pays tribute to local production and recognizes the quality and improvement achieved,” said Georgiades.

Following a three-day tasting of the wines, the best products will be awarded in a formal award ceremony which will take place on March 14 in Limassol. The competition will present a Grand Gold Medal, a Gold Medal, a Silver Medal and a Bronze Medal.

The competition will receive coverage from the international media, while journalists from the US, UK, Greece and Israel are expected to arrive in Cyprus to attend the competition.