• About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Thursday, May 26, 2022
  • Login
  • Register
Wines Unfiltered
  • Home
  • News
  • Blog
  • Wineries
  • Tours
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Blog
  • Wineries
  • Tours
No Result
View All Result
Wines Unfiltered
No Result
View All Result

Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 Winner

May 13, 2022
in Uncategorized
481 25
Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 Winner

Last Thursday (5th May 2022) saw the finals of the 9th Competition for the Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022, run and organised by Cyprus Sommeliers Association, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Limassol, Cyprus.

With the 3 finalists announced from the 7 semi-finalists who competed the day prior. Each finalist was put through a number of exercises, putting their incredible sommelier and hospitality skills to the test.

Each candidate was given the same tasks to complete and carry out such as serving Champagne correctly and efficiently, creating a Champagne cocktail requested by ‘guests’, serve and introduce a Cyprus grape variety, blind taste test 4 different Cyprus Xynisteris and detect from which PDO of Cyprus they were from, taste and decribe 5 almost identical amber coloured drinks blindly, correct a wine menu, offer Zivania pairings to a Cypriot Tazerna menu and suggest a white wine pairing for a specific steak dish. All on stage whilst infront of a live audience and judges (both on the stage and secret judges in the audience too – myself being one of them).

Over the course of an hour each finalist was put through the above tasks and marked throughout by approximately 20 judges collectively.

Once all 3 finalists were finished, the scores were added up and the tasks, with their ‘hidden’ tests and correct ‘answers’ were announced, before announcing the final results of the competition.

1st Place = Sotiris Neophytidis

2nd Place = Iwona Hereda

3rd Place = László Kovács

Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 Winner – Sotiris Neophytidis

Winner of the 9th Annual Competition and the Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 is Sotiris Nephytidis, 30, from Limassol, Cyprus.

Sotiris is currently working as a freelance Sommelier and as an educator.

“I have been working as a Sommelier since 2016. I entered the sommelerie industry when I won my first Best Young Sommelier Competition in 2016.

My background is solely based on hospitality.I have studied at Higher Hotel Institute of Cyprus Hospitality Management and have finished my studies on Bsc in Hospitality Management from Unic. Last but not least I have an Msc on International Hospitality Management from the Cyprus University of Technology.

What do you love most about the Cyprus Wine Industry?

“I love the diversity of the guests that I serve on a daily basis but as well I am really lucky to watch the growth of the quality of Cypriot wine in general.”

Was this competition your first, if not what other competitions have you participated in?

“No this competition was not my first. My previous competitions were:

Best Young Sommelier 2016 Winner

Best Young Sommelier 2017 Winner

Cyprus National Sommelier Competition 2018: 3rd place

How long did you prepare for the competition?

“I have been preparing for this competition for a long time, I started approximately 6-7 months ago, but for years I am studying and preparing for these kind of tests.

What was the most nerve wracking part of the competition?

“The most nerve wracking part was the tasting part where we needed to define and describe wines from Xynisteri grape and describe the PDO’s of Cyprus”

What was the best part of the overall experience?

“The best part was the announcement of the winner 🙂 Just kidding the overall tasks were really vital and of high level so I think everything was unique.”

Is there anything you would have done differently if you could go back?

“There is nothing I would do differently, as I believe these 6 years were rewarding each and every year even if I did not win any competition.”

How do you feel about representing Cyprus and competing in the World Championiship competition?

“I feel really proud that I will be representing my country in Paris on February 2023 for the world championships but at the same time I feel the pressure to get a good position.”

“What is next for you as the Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022?

“Nothing is going to change on my routine. Tasting, studying and practice. This is what I do and love.”

Will you compete again?

“Yes, sure I will compete and represent my country another one time hopefully in international competitions.”

Do you have any advice for any Sommeliers interested in competing next year?

“Believe in yourself. Study hard and be consistent. When you reach the top, at a moment, do not forget that being a sommelier is being humble and genuine.”

Sponsors of the competition include: Four Seasons Hotel Limassol Cyprus, Photos Photiades Group, Kyperounda Winery, Pralina Experience, Pegasos, Aqua Panna & San Pellegrino

Photos by Cyprus Sommeliers Association

Share304Tweet190Share76
Advertisement Banner

Related Posts

What are these Crystals in my wine? Tartrates explained

by Wines Unfiltered
August 11, 2020
0
What are these Crystals in my wine? Tartrates explained

The crystals we sometimes find stuck on a cork or the bottom of our wine bottle are called tartrates. Tartrates are a naturally occurring substance formed from tartaric acid. Tartaric acid is the main acid in...

Read more
Please login to join discussion

Find

No Result
View All Result

Category

  • Lifestyle (6)
  • News (4)
  • Tips & Tricks (8)
  • Uncategorized (2)
  • Wineries (2)

Instagram

  • 9th Competition for the Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 Winner - Sotiris Neophytidis on how it felt and what
  • As a wine drinker and lover, it can be easy to consume wine 🍷 with ‘flaws’ without even realising it. 

Many of them aren’t bad for us, they just don’t taste as nice 🤢..

Here are the 5 most popular wine faults that you may experience... https://bit.ly/3KmUCCd

#wine #winelover #winetasting #wineblog #wineblogger #winefacts #corked #winecork #cyprus #cypruswine #winenerd #winetravel #wineeducation #corkedwines #winewriter #winejournalist
  • Some beautiful finds at the recent Koili Wine Festival and tasting some of Paphos’ lesser known wineries and gems of wines 🍷 

Continuing to surprise us and encourage our love for Cyprus Wines I had the pleasure to experience @nikodemoswinerypanayia wines (specifically their Xynisteri ‘Ayia Paraskevi’), Chryssorogiatissa Monastery, Theophanous Winery and @winerykalamos 

🍷 Wine of the festival: Allios from @winerykalamos. A new Xynisteri in the market, this delicate wine is aged for 4 months in Acacia oak barrels giving it a gorgeous gold tint, a touch of honey, tropical flavours and lychee 💛 

#winetasting #winefestival #cyprus #cypruswines #cypruswine #paphos #xynisteri #redwinelover #winedestinations #winediscovery #winestagram #winelover #sommlife #winenotes #wineislove #wineblog #wineblogger #winetime
  • “She has a way with words, red lipstick and making an entrance”

Yet, lipstick stains on a wine glass are not a pretty sight. 🍷💄💋

Then there is the debate of whether or not lipstick (and of course this will also be lipstick dependent), can affect the taste of the wine.

Read the article here... https://bit.ly/3r2zgT1 or click the link in our bio

#winelover #winetasting #winetime #wine #lipstick #redlipstick #lipstickandwine #women #womenandwine #womenwhowine #redwine #cyprus #sommlife #winewriter #wineblog #wineblogger #winestagram #lipglossaddict #winetasting🍷
  • Chateau Les Valentines Le Grand Huit Rosé 2020 🍷

A gorgeous vibrant salmon coloured Provence rosé from @chateaulesvalentines, packed with strawberries, minerals and a touch of herbs from this Mourvèdre and Cinsault blend 🍷

Available from @lamaisonduvin_cyprus 

#rosewine #rosé #provencerosé #france #frenchwine #frenchwinelover #winelover #wineblog #winefortheheart #winetasting #winereview #winetime #roséwine #valentines #chateaulesvalentines #cyprus
  • Happy National Drink Wine Day 🥳🍷

(not that we need an excuse ;) )

#wine #winelover #wineblog #winetime #wineday #fridayfeels #fridayfeeling #weekend #wineexpert #winedestinations #cyprus #cypruswine #sommelier #sommlife #wineoclock #winegram #winesofinstagram

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM

  • 9th Competition for the Best Sommelier of Cyprus 2022 Winner - Sotiris Neophytidis on how it felt and what
  • As a wine drinker and lover, it can be easy to consume wine 🍷 with ‘flaws’ without even realising it. 

Many of them aren’t bad for us, they just don’t taste as nice 🤢..

Here are the 5 most popular wine faults that you may experience... https://bit.ly/3KmUCCd

#wine #winelover #winetasting #wineblog #wineblogger #winefacts #corked #winecork #cyprus #cypruswine #winenerd #winetravel #wineeducation #corkedwines #winewriter #winejournalist
  • Some beautiful finds at the recent Koili Wine Festival and tasting some of Paphos’ lesser known wineries and gems of wines 🍷 

Continuing to surprise us and encourage our love for Cyprus Wines I had the pleasure to experience @nikodemoswinerypanayia wines (specifically their Xynisteri ‘Ayia Paraskevi’), Chryssorogiatissa Monastery, Theophanous Winery and @winerykalamos 

🍷 Wine of the festival: Allios from @winerykalamos. A new Xynisteri in the market, this delicate wine is aged for 4 months in Acacia oak barrels giving it a gorgeous gold tint, a touch of honey, tropical flavours and lychee 💛 

#winetasting #winefestival #cyprus #cypruswines #cypruswine #paphos #xynisteri #redwinelover #winedestinations #winediscovery #winestagram #winelover #sommlife #winenotes #wineislove #wineblog #wineblogger #winetime
  • “She has a way with words, red lipstick and making an entrance”

Yet, lipstick stains on a wine glass are not a pretty sight. 🍷💄💋

Then there is the debate of whether or not lipstick (and of course this will also be lipstick dependent), can affect the taste of the wine.

Read the article here... https://bit.ly/3r2zgT1 or click the link in our bio

#winelover #winetasting #winetime #wine #lipstick #redlipstick #lipstickandwine #women #womenandwine #womenwhowine #redwine #cyprus #sommlife #winewriter #wineblog #wineblogger #winestagram #lipglossaddict #winetasting🍷
  • Chateau Les Valentines Le Grand Huit Rosé 2020 🍷

A gorgeous vibrant salmon coloured Provence rosé from @chateaulesvalentines, packed with strawberries, minerals and a touch of herbs from this Mourvèdre and Cinsault blend 🍷

Available from @lamaisonduvin_cyprus 

#rosewine #rosé #provencerosé #france #frenchwine #frenchwinelover #winelover #wineblog #winefortheheart #winetasting #winereview #winetime #roséwine #valentines #chateaulesvalentines #cyprus
  • Happy National Drink Wine Day 🥳🍷

(not that we need an excuse ;) )

#wine #winelover #wineblog #winetime #wineday #fridayfeels #fridayfeeling #weekend #wineexpert #winedestinations #cyprus #cypruswine #sommelier #sommlife #wineoclock #winegram #winesofinstagram
  • ** Restaurant Feature **
6 Course Dinner @ @bistrot55 😍

From start to finish the food was incredible, the complexity of the flavours in every dish and the overall menu was perfectly engineered

With the choice of a carnivore, pescatarian and vegan menu in either 5 or 6 courses you’re sure to be catered for 

(The wine photographed was not included 😉 but a wine pairing option is available with your set course menu)

#foodie #foodstagram #wine #winelover #winetasting #winetime #wineanddine #limassol #cyprus #foodheaven #wineandfoodpairing #wineandfood #fridaymood #wineblogger #winelovers #wineenthusiasts
  • Let’s talk about flavour vs taste 🍷…

You may think but aren’t they’re the same? Though they are similar they’re not interchangeable.

Once you learn the difference of them, their distinct experiences, you’ll become much better at cooking as well as more in tune with what you like and dislike in wine.

So how do we define them?

Taste refers to the sense inside our mouth and on our tongue

Aroma occurs inside our noses and specifically refers to our sense of smell

Flavour is when taste and aromas combine. 

Continue reading this article by clicking the link in our bio 👆

#wine #winetasting #winelover #winebloggers #wineblog #wineeducation #winefacts #wineknowledge #winetasting🍷 #winetime #winewednesday #winewinewine #cyprus #cypruswine
  • A trip to Nicosia is not without a stop at @myvinemerchants 🍷 for an impromptu tasting of these two beautiful wines 🍷

A Naoussa Red 🇬🇷 and a divine Argentinian Blend 🇦🇷

First up 🍷… @ktima_voyatzi 2018 Xinomavro & Moschomavro blend, and my first time tasting a Moschomavro wine let alone this style of blend 👌a medium bodied bold blend, with complex tannins and medium high acidity this wine would be perfect with some cheese 🧀and game meats with its strawberry, cherry 🍒 and Blackcurrant flavours followed by earthy notes

@pyroswines 2014 Special Blend, only 12,000 bottles produced of this Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Malbec blend 🍷 deep purple in colour this wine has delicate tannins and a great mouthfeel with flavours of red fruits, blackberries, oak & a touch of chocolate too 🍫 a superb wine especially at its price range! This special blend is not yet available in Cyprus so watch this space (pop us a DM if you’d like to be one of the first to get your hands on a bottle) 

#winelover #wineblog #wineblogger #winetime #winetasting #nicosia #argentinianwine #naoussa #greekwine #winestagram #winegram #winenotes #winewinewine #wineenthusiasts #redwinelover #redwine #thursdaymood #xinomavro #moschomavro #shiraz #malbec #cabernetsauvignon #wineandfriends #wineknowledge #wset #sommlife
  • For many years, I found out that trying to predict future wine 🍷 trends is that they are different all around the world 🌎...

There are many reasons why people choose wine 🍷 so differently to one another, namely they are geographical, economical and above all cultural. Moreover, the selection of wines offered by distributors is not the same in every country

From organic farming to orange wine, to the future of prosecco 🥂 we discuss what trends we can expect to see in the industry for 2022

Link to article in our bio 

Article by George Kassianos

#wine #winetrends #trends #trending #wineblog #wineblogger #sommelier #somm #sommlife #wineshop #wineday #winespecialist #wineinfluencer #wineinstagram #wineindustry #winetrade #winelovers #winetime #winefacts #wineeducation
Facebook Instagram

Navigate

  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Newsletter

Category

  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Uncategorized
  • Wineries

© 2021 Wines Unfiltered - Laura Barton .

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact

© 2021 Wines Unfiltered - Laura Barton .

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In