February 2023 Winner Iwona Hereda
Iwona the new Young Somm
On February 22 we have a new winner, a new best young sommelier. Iwona Hereda of Four Seasons is the winner of the 6th Kyperounda Winery Best Young Sommelier. The contest is organized by Cy Somms, Kyperounda Winery and Photos Photiades Distributors.
Photos Photiades and Kyperounda Winery are long-time partners with Cyprus Sommeliers Association, in fact, they were partners since the first Best Young contest. The Kyperounda winery itself was the host of the contest, up in the village of Kyperounda.
The contest was open to members of the Cyprus Sommeliers Association, under 35 and is the country’s premier contest for upcoming sommeliers under that age. It showcases the industry's future leaders and exposes them to the rigors of international competition.
As a winner Iwona receives the official title of Best Young Sommelier from the previous champion Andrian Andronache, now of Amara Hotel Limassol. Previous winners were Andreas Constantinides now manager of Venduno, Elena-Dianna Gheorghinete and twice the National Champion Sotiris Neophytidis.
There were six candidates participating. The quarterfinals were held on the 21st February with written and blind tasting of two wines and two spirits followed by practical test in the afternoon. There were several general knowledge questions about Cypriot and international wines, beers, spirits, history of Cyprus wine, questions on local and international cuisine, other agricultural products and matching of wine and food. The serving skills of a sommelier were tested in the service of a bottle of Akti rosé.
On the final there were the three top candidates of the previous day. According to the President of the Technical Committee, Vass Manoli each time the contes and the quality of the contests are improving. The Sommeliers were judged by their peers. All judging panels were led by members of the Cyprus Sommeliers Association and National Champion Sommeliers, as well as with a master brewer and a member of the Bar Association. The judges were selected by the Technical Committee, Vasos Manoli (Pralina Experience), Sotiris Neophytidis (vocational teacher) and George Loukakis (Melco Group), all national champions and veterans in participating and organizing contests.
This is the third attempt for Iwona in a national and international level. First was known for being runner up in the National Contest in 2022, and then she participated in the Balkan Contest in October where Sotiris Neophytidis was the winner. In the third attempt she managed the top spot, a worthy winner.
A jubilant Iwona, said that she cannot wait for the National contest next year, then, international competitions will welcome such a talent. Moreover, she stressed the fact that there were 2 ladies in the final – the other lady was Katerina Psomadeli of Pralina Experience who was runner up and on the third place Lefteris Karapanayiotis of Four Seasons Hotel too.
