Aes Ambelis harvest celebrations
Local winery marks the end of the harvest with a celebration
Over the years it is not only Cyprus wine that has improved with time. Certain wineries are taking initiatives to organise several events. With many wineries now competing for best design awards it is no surprise that these events take place in their wineries to promote them. Concerts, fairs and festivals will soon be developed into calendar events and celebrations will become grander. It makes sense then that people who are so dedicated to their crafts should also know how to seriously unwind, educate and promote.
Harvest is the most important period of any wine making region, therefore, a time to celebrate especially when it is successfully over. Owner of Aes Ambelis winery, George Tripatsas, thought of something original to celebrate the end of the harvest: a village fair in the winery’s gardens.
Distinct in architectural style, the Aes Ambelis Estate is located on the slopes of Kalo Chorio Orinis in the Nicosia district, 28km from the capital. In early October, wine connoisseurs from around the island gathered with their families at the winery to try the Aes Ambelis wines. There are many traditional products of the Cyprus vineyard, not just grapes and wine, or even the tender leaves used for koupepia (stuffed with mince meat and rice). They also provide raisins and grape juice and a grape syrup called epsima, which is used in many ways especially with desserts. At the Aes Ambelis event, guests could also enjoy the winter preserves of soutzouko and kiofteria, which are produced from the grape juice jelly called palouze.
Despite the rich food display, Aes Ambelis wines stole the show. The Aes Ambelis Rosé and the Shiraz were readily available to accompany the delicacies. Direct from the oak barrel, visitors tried Aes Ambelis Omiros, the new Maratheftiko varietal, for the first time. The Xinisteri-Semillon dry was present too, along with the red dry blend and the Cabernet varietal.
The event was a success and it will be repeated next year. All I can say to George and the Aes Ambelis team is congratulations and I hope that this will be the beginning of many such events will be organised by our wineries.
For more information on Aes Ambelis wines contact 22 354442
Wines of the week
2006 Torres Fransola Sauvignon Blanc, Penedès DO Spain, abv 13%
The range of single vineyard, or ‘pago’ in Catalán, wines represents the very summit of the winemaking art. Each vineyard has been selected from among 1,600 hectares owned by the Torres family because of the superb quality of fruit it produces. More than any other range, these wines have helped to confirm Torres’ status as one of the finest wine companies in the world today.
The Fransola pago is situated high in the Penedès Region. The naturally cool climate is perfect for producing top quality Sauvignon Blanc. This wine, which incorporates 10% Parellada, is partly fermented in American oak barrels, which add both complexity and richness to this excellent wine.
Bright, mid-straw wine in colour, this dry white exhibits an intense and voluptuous bouquet. It has aromatic notes of various fruit and vegetation; aromas of green coffee and pepper, with rich fruit notes of ripe peaches, the scent of fig trees in summer and touches of mint. On the palate, the wine is round and full-bodied and has an excellent structure. The aftertaste is elegant with a citric edge, and it can age. Simply enjoy with fish and seafood as I did. €19.90
2003 Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon, Penedès DO Spain, abv 14%
What I can say about one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons in the world? The grapes are harvested in October; the legendary Mas La Plana estate nestles in Pacs del Penedès, some 3km west of Vilafranca del Penedès. Every year its old Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted on softly sloping hills produce a harvest that is small but of great quality.
Deep, dense, cherry colour, smoky cherry, redcurrant and cranberries aromas are complicated by cured tobacco, musky underbrush, truffles, a touch of mahogany and licorice. Deep, weighty and broad, with potent bitter cherry and licorice flavours given energy by mineral and dried flowers notes. Full, elegant and with a pronounced aftertaste, befitting a wine of this quality. A perfect partner for the finest meat and game dishes. €36.11
Imported by Ghalanos and available at Intercellars, Tel: 22 445660
