Filenews 21 June 2024 - by Adamos Adamou
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism is attempting to expand and enrich the existing wine routes of the place and consequently further promote Cypriot wine, which has announced the inclusion of wine bars in them, even if they are located in cities.
The inclusion of catering establishments dealing with wine, with emphasis on wine bars promoting wines produced from indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, was officially announced yesterday, with an announcement posted by the Deputy Ministry of Tourism on its website. https://www.tourism.gov.cy/tourism/tourism.nsf/All/FF305082FC7C41ADC2258B42003AC79C?OpenDocument
According to "F" information, the Deputy Ministry contacted stakeholders and connoisseurs of Cypriot wine on the issue, in order to achieve the goal of further promoting Cypriot wine gastronomy and the existing wine routes that have existed for some years and will not change in terms of philosophy and number.
However, the short distances between the cities of Cyprus and the countryside with them, are offered for enrichment of both the wine routes, adding to them other experiences within cities and for the general promotion of Cypriot tourism.
In this context, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism announced that in order to enrich the seven existing wine routes, enhance the wine experience of visitors and further highlight the uniqueness of wines produced from indigenous Cypriot grape varieties, it invites all interested representatives of licensed restaurants dealing with wine / Wine Bars to submit a request to join the wine routes. A development that will have visibility for those who express interest, but as mentioned, it will add further visibility in general and in terms of the wine experience on the island.
Conditional
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism clarifies in its announcement that the action for inclusion in the wine routes concerns catering establishments whose main business activity concerns the supply of alcoholic beverages and wine and not generally restaurants or premises that may offer zivania or commandaria. In this context, it provides information in an annex to its announcement on the evaluation that will take place for the inclusion of businesses in the wine routes, which include, inter alia, the condition that the premises have a valid operating license from the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
Also, the restaurant / wine bar must include in its offer and price list, a representative series of indigenous Cypriot varieties (impurities are also acceptable).
More specifically, for the inclusion of wine bars/other catering establishments in the wine routes, it is required to include in the list for offer in bottles:
a) at least 5 white wines from at least 3 different indigenous Cypriot varieties (eg xynisteri, spourtiko, baby cinnamon, queen, promara),
b) at least 5 red wines from at least 3 different indigenous Cypriot varieties (eg Maratheftiko, black, Ophthalmo, Yiannoudi, Lefkada)
c) at least 2 rosé wines of indigenous Cypriot varieties.
d) at least one Commandaria
e) at least one Zivania
In addition, it is required to offer in glass the following:
a) at least one label of white wine of indigenous Cypriot varieties (e.g. xynisteri, spourtiko, baby cinnamon, queen, promara),
b) at least one label of red wine of indigenous Cypriot varieties (e.g. Maratheftiko, Mavro, Ophthalmo, Yiannoudi, Lefkada) and
c) at least one rosé wine label from indigenous Cypriot varieties,
d) at least one Commandaria and one Zivania label.
Wine testing and promotion in bars
According to the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the relevant wine lists should be available in Greek and English. Among other things, a prerequisite for joining the wine routes is the realization of wine-tasting events for the indigenous Cypriot varieties at least once (1) a year, for which the Deputy Ministry of Tourism should be informed in advance.
In relation to the benefits of the catering establishments – Wine Bars that will be included in the wine routes, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism records their promotion through the channels for the promotion of the Wine Routes (website of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Social Media, Publications, etc.), as well as the award and right to use the Wine Routes Label in the places and means of business promotion.
