Regina Vanderlinde also took part of the 12^th Cyprus Wine Competition, an event under the OIV Patronage.

We caught up with the President to discover her impressions about her visit and the role of wine competitions.

How was your visit to Cyprus?

This was my first time in Cyprus. I am impressed by this country’s beauty and the warm welcome that I received. I had the opportunity to have a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, to whom I expressed the satisfaction of the OIV by the quality of the relationship maintained with the Cypriot delegates. Within the framework of my visit I participated at the technical conference “The wine production in the sphere of differentiation and global competitiveness” presenting the role of the OIV as a scientific and technical reference in the global wine sector. Finally, I took part in the 12th edition of the national Cyprus Wine Competition.

Lately you have participated in several competitions with the OIV patronage. What have you think about the Cyprus Wine Competition?

The Cyprus Wine Competition has OIV patronage since 2008. Despite the national character of this event, during the tastings I could witness the strict respect of the OIV standard for international wine and spirituous beverages of vitivinicultural origin competitions. Regarding the quality of samples I was impressed by the different and interesting wines on competition. During the last week, we had the opportunity to taste several amazing wines from the natural and extraordinary varieties of Cyprus. We tasted 194 samples from 36 wineries. This exercise showed us the great evolution of the wine sector in the country.

Why, in your opinion, is the OIV standard so important?

The OIV standard allows producers to compete under controlled and fair conditions, guaranteeing that samples are anonymous, and judged with optimal tasting conditions. Also with an evaluation based on harmonised sensory criteria.
OIV wine competitions are very important because they look for fundamental aspects. We can underline the fact that they promote the knowledge of wines with outstanding quality. Naturally, this motivates wine producers to improve the technical and scientific level of production, what will contribute to the expansion of the wine sector too.
Wine is a millenary and historic beverage, therefore wine competitions are very important to promote the historical and social value of this unique product as an active part of civilisation.
Also, crucially, an important note regarding the role of wine competitions: they shall encourage responsible consumption as well.

What about the value of medals?

With the OIV Rules, medals have a real value as we limit the awards to 30% of the wine presented, what sometimes lead to withdraw very valuable wines from the winner’s list.
Therefore, when I participate in wine competitions I always give the biggest congratulations to the winners. Getting an award for a wine has a lot of significance.
It means that the one who created that wine was searching for an exceptional beverage with unique characteristics, assembling beautiful colours, multiple reflections, perfumes and their most subtle aromas. Here or anywhere else in the world of wine, it is the research of uniqueness that gives us motivation. Those who approach exceptional wines will always be rewarded. Most importantly, awarded wines are a reference for consumers and an important recognition for the producers.

8 facts about wine sector in Cyprus (source: Cypriot government)

• Cyprus is a historical wine region with more than 5.500 years of legacy
• Is the only phylloxera-free protected zone in the European Union (among the three phylloxera-free nations over the globe)
• The current surface under wine vineyards is 7.710 hectares
• It has a mosaic of ten unique indigenous wine cultivars of Vitis vinifera: Xynisteri, Local Mavron, Maratheftico, Giannoudi, Ofthalmo, Promara, Morocanella, Spourtico, Canella and Vlouriko
• The wine production in 2018 was 109.200 hectoliters
• Five regions are recognised as protected designations of origin (PDO’s): Commandaria, Krasochoria Lemesou, Laona Akamas, Vouni Panayia-Ampelitis and Pitsilia
• Commandaria, the sweet wine from sundried grapes is the uncontested flagship of the wine sector
• Four districts are recognised as protected geographical indications (PGI’s): Lemesos, Pafos, Larnaka, Lefkosia

Know more about the OIV standard

To know more about the OIV standard for international wine and spirituous beverages of vitivinicultural origin competitions follow this link