A Case of Questions with Yiannis Karakasis MW

During the past few months, Yiannis Karakasis, one of two Masters of Wine in South Eastern Europe, has been quite outspoken about Cyprus' wine. Following a visit to The Rock (which I've already written about), Karakasis penned a series of articles praising the work being done by Cypriot winemakers. He covered his initial impressions of the island's wines, his visit to Vouni Panayia to sample the Kyriakides clan's promising Promara, and an exclusive tasting of some of Zambartas' best. Karakasis even took the time to send Elizabeth Gabay, an MW who resides in Provence, several bottles of Cypriot rosé to review. Karakasis, who consults, writes and teaches about wine and also works as a judge for Decanter and wine consultant for the Greek TV wine show "Taste and Wine," sat down with the blog and tackled its dirty dozen.

Why wine?

Yiannis Karakasis (YK): I guess no other proper question was put on the table.

First wine that really captured your attention? How old were you?

YK: I think it was a big Greek brand (maybe a white or could be a rosé but I will not admit it openly for the latter), and this was back in the late 80s, good rock n' roll times.

All-time favorite bottle of wine?

YK: A Naoussa 69, very much like a Barolo from the 60's. In an international context, it has to be Giacomo Conterno’s Monfortino.

Favourite wine-producing region? Why?

YK: There are many. In Greece, Santorini and Naoussa. Worldwide, Barolo. California is very exciting, Yarra Valley too. I also love Tokaj and many Spanish regions. Finally, Burgundy and Champagne!

Your favourite food-and-wine pairing?

YK: One minute grilled fresh tuna with lightly chilled Mavrotragano, which is a Greek red up-and-coming variety with a savoury character.

What is Cyprus missing when it comes to wine?

YK: The big picture perhaps but you will get there for sure.

Karakasis Left Impressed by Vouni Panayia's Promara...

And Yiannoudi.

What do you foresee for Cyprus's wine industry?

YK: I am very optimistic about the wines, the producers and the future. Like I say in such cases where things are at a crossroads, it depends on you.

What do you enjoy most about your work in the food & wine world?

YK: People, food and wine! Please don't ask me what I dislike...

What is your "Five Year Plan" for your career/business?

YK: I have no idea at the moment. I try to think about the near future, which is now.

Who is your favorite wine personality? Why?

YK: Superwineman Gerard Basset! For what he has achieved (MW, MS and best Sommelier in the world), of course.

Any embarrassing episodes involving spilled wine, corkscrews, sommeliers or drunken behavior?

YK: Spilling some wine on a couple of Masters of Wine during an IMW trip in Santorini. At that point, I was just entering the programme...

Of course, your all-time favourite island wine?

YK: Bordeaux’s Pichon Longueville, a wine that has given me tremendous feelings as this is the wine I first enjoyed with Elli.

You can reach Yiannis on Twitter, Facebook or his personal website.

When (Somewhat) Funny Writing Pays

Several months back, Interval International, a leading global provider of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry, somehow came across this cracker of a blog and commissioned me to write an article on Paphos wineries for its UK-based members. Here's the result, snazzy photos and all.

By the way, plenty of thanks to the kind folks at Vouni Panayia, Ezousa, Fikardos, Vassilikon and Tsalapatis for taking the time to meet with me, talk shop and add oodles of bottles to my wine collection.

 

A Case of Questions with Demetri Walters MW

I've gone Trump on you, dear readers. I've lied. A few months back when I covered Yiannis Karakasis' visit to The Rock, I said that Cyprus is still waiting for its first Master of Wine. Well, there's one MW who's actually half-Cypriot and I had no clue. Introducing Demetri Walters, Wine Educator and Presenter for Berry Bros. & Rudd, the UK's oldest wine and spirits merchant having opened its doors back in 1698. Demetri, who's somewhat obsessed with fortified wines, received his MW in 2013 and talks to us here about plenty of his other passions.

Why wine?

Demetri Walters (DW): It was my interest for a long time before I got into the trade. I deluded myself that I wanted to do something else until life showed me that I didn’t have a choice.

First wine that really captured your attention? How old were you?

DW: Commandaria. I remember my parents (my mother is from Cyprus) introducing it to me when I was very little. I used to drink small amounts of it in my early teens and found the flavour (and slight intoxication) thrilling!

All-time favorite bottle of wine?

DW: I once tasted and enjoyed a 1780 Bual Madeira. The wine was exceptionally complex and the associated story quite unbelievable. Oceans of time had elapsed since that harvest.

Favourite wine-producing region? Why?

DW: I don’t really have favourite wines. I am a champion of wines of the Eastern Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. I am extremely partial to fortified wines. Ultimately though, I have great affection for any great wine region.

Your favourite food-and-wine pairing?

DW: Bual or Malvasia Madeira and dark chocolate…Oh yes!

What is Cyprus missing when it comes to wine?

DW: A continuous, little disturbed history of making great wine. However, that’s the past. The future looks very rosy indeed.

Commandaria is one of Demetri's Favourite Wines.

What do you foresee for Cyprus’s wine industry?

DW: That it will only succeed with great collaboration amongst the various stakeholders. That’s already taking effect. Optimising quality is the way forward and Cyprus is on the right track. Patience is the name of the game here and I see it paying-off each time I open a bottle of Cypriot wine.

What do you enjoy most about your work in the food & wine world?

DW: Getting to eat food and drink wine that has been made with passion, commitment and a fascinating story.

What is your “Five Year Plan” for your career/business?

DW: To build up Berry Bros. & Rudd’s wine education profile amongst all channels: on-trade and off-trade, and to develop my own position as a person who strives to knock down the blinkers of wine prejudice.

Who is your favorite wine personality? Why?

DW: I have a number of them, and they are mostly my friends in the wine trade and in the production of wine around the world. Wine people are amongst the friendliest, kindest and most interesting people I know. I love our network.

Any embarrassing episodes involving spilled wine, corkscrews, sommeliers or drunken behavior?

DW: Drunken behaviour? You think I’d tell everyone? Yes, many…sadly. But that was a long time ago…well, maybe not so long ago. Many years ago, whilst living in the Australian bush, I attended a spectacular booze-fuelled Bachelor and Spinsters party. I woke up the next day in the middle of nowhere and cannot, to this day, remember how I got there. I do remember being laid out in the back of a pick-up truck and having a tarpaulin pulled over me so that the local policeman wouldn’t arrest me. As for embarrassing episodes with spilled wine, sommeliers etc., yes, plenty, and I’m sure there’ll be many more!

Of course, your all-time favourite island wine?

DW: Deserted Island wine: would have to be Madeira as it’s the only wine capable of surviving on a deserted island!

Otherwise, Island wine: Commandaria. It’s regaining its deserved reputation as one of the great sweet wines of the world.

You can reach Demetri on Twitter and the Berry Bros. & Rudd Website.