“CONNOISSEUR OINOY” CERTIFICATION SCHEME
Since 2016, the courses organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association have offered the possibility to obtain a certification under the Regulation for the Certification of Persons as Connoisseur Οίνου [“Wine connoisseur”]. The Association promoted this Regulation in cooperation with the Cyprus Certification Company (CCC) and the Cyprus Sommelier Association.
Those interested in their assessment and certification should fill out the CCC application form No. E-37/03, including all their particulars and their commitment to comply with the Regulation for the Certification of Persons as Connoisseur Οίνου and all the relevant procedures of the CCC.
Together with the application form, applicants must submit proof of identity, e.g., identity card, passport, driving license, along with the supporting evidence/certificates of completion of training in wine knowledge and wine tasting topics as outlined in the examination syllabus of Annex A to the Regulation and further described in paragraph 6.1 of the Regulation.Τhe above information and documents must be submitted to the CCC at least one week before the examination date, together with the payment of the certification fee.
Successful candidates will be awarded a Connoisseur Οίνου certificate. Certified individuals will be required to recertify every four (4) years provided they have earned a set number of recertification credits from their participation in the Association’s events.
A Connoisseur Οίνου may earn recertification credits according to the table below:
| No. | DESCRIPTION OF EVENT | Credits |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Educational trip organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association to winegrowing countries abroad More than five (5) wineries Four (4) wineries Three (3) wineries |
25 20 15 |
| 2 | Attendance to seminars on wine-related topics organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association or by the Association in cooperation with others | 10 |
| 3 | Annual General Meeting of the Cyprus Oenophile Association | 10 |
| 4 | Participation in Master Classes of the Cyprus Oenophile Association | 10 |
| 5 | Participation in the Contest for the Best Sommelier of Cyprus | 10 |
| 6 | Participation in Master Classes of the Cyprus Sommelier Association upon invitation | 10 |
| 7 | Participation in the Competition for the Best Young Sommelier of Cyprus | 10 |
| 8 | Wine-Aroma of Cyprus (organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association) | 10 |
| 9 | Participation in online lectures organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association or by the Association in cooperation with others | 5 |
| 10 | Visits to Cypriot Wineries (organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association) | 5 |
| 11 | Participation in educational events, dinners, tastings, e.t.c. organised by the Cyprus Oenophile Association and/or in cooperation with others | 5 |