WeeklySA_AdminBENCHMARK: Globally respected judges highly impressed with quality of South African wines, predict a brighter future for local offerings…
By WSAM Reporter
A panel of internationally renowned judges has released a select list of wines deserving the highest accolades in the 2023 Trophy Wine Show.
Announced in the Cape Winelands yesterday, the highest-scoring wines to emerge victorious with trophies were topped by Zevenwacht – winner of three trophies awarded for its Zevenwacht Z Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and the Zevenwacht Z Collection Chenin Blanc 2022. This is in addition to scooping the 2023 Most Successful Producer overall prize, along with garnering an additional two silver medals for the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2021 Chardonnay.
This is the first time Zevenwacht has won a trophy at the show since its inception 22 years ago – a momentous highlight for winemaker Hagen Viljoen, who joined the Cape Town winery in 2018. No mean feat for Viljoen too since judging at the show – sponsored by Investec for the second year – is regarded as the among the toughest in the world – what with the panel comprising international renowned judges such as Jancis Robinson MW OBE, Anne Krebiehl MW and Benjamin Roffet, backed by a reserve bench of associate judges reviewing 688 wines.
Ultimately, the exercise yielded 19 best-in-class trophies including four museum class trophies, from 32 gold medals, 86 silver medals and 320 bronze awards.
Other trophy-winning wines were:
- The High Road Director’s Reserve 2019 (Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend; Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine; Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall);
- Survivor Cellar Master Series Chardonnay 2022 (Overhex) – (Miele Trophy for Best Chardonnay Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall)
- The Essay Syrah Cinsaut & Grenache & Mourvèdre (Investec Trophy for Best Rhône-style Red Blend and the Investec Trophy for Discovery of Show (best value gold medallist)
- The Villiersdorp Winery Syrah 2020 (Investec International Judges’ Trophy for gold medallist with the highest combined scores of the three international judges)
The silver and gold medal and trophy-winning wines will be available for public tasting for a single night only in Johannesburg on 14th June and Cape Town on 21st June. Wines will be available for sale via the Show’s online fulfilment partner, Port2Port, which will also be represented at the two tastings. Winning wines will also be offered at a series of Masterclass® tastings hosted by Investec for the banks’ corporate and high net worth clients over the course of 2023 at a number of venues around South Africa. Cumesh Moodliar, head of Investec Private Banking SA says,
“We pride ourselves in creating the ‘Out of the Ordinary’ for our clients, whether it’s exceptional products and service or exclusive experiences that money can’t buy.
The winner of the Investec International Judges’ Trophy (for the gold medallist with the highest combined scores of the three international judges, at the trophy judging) is The Villiersdorp Winery Syrah 2020. Villiersdorp is one of three newcomers on the trophy-winners’ podium, sharing the distinction with Bloemendal and The High Road.
On the quality of Sauvignon Blanc entries, Anne Krebiehl MW gushed: “What I absolutely adored was when we moved into the oaked category of Sauvignon Blanc… Now we’re talking fine wine. There’s tons of pleasure to be found, and there are some who do this incredibly well.”
Benjamin Roffet on Bordeaux Blends: “I think the category has evolved enormously, with stylistic dimension as well a cool climate style of blend, which I enjoy a lot, also with a South African twist.” And from Jancis Robinson MW OBE: “I think there is no doubt South African Chardonnay is a real attribute for the country.
They express the ocean influence and coolness in the vineyards, and I get the sense South African winemakers are very confident making Chardonnay.
“The Shiraz class I judged, was just massively much better than the class I judged in 2007. There was sophistication and intention there. There is a variety of styles, as there should be.
“What I value about the Trophy Wine Show competition, and why I have come, is that it’s giving me an overview of where South Africa is now, without any prejudice about labels. It’s a great benchmarking exercise, really.”
Gold Medal
Winners
Benguela Cove Chardonnay 2022;
Bloemendal Tyger Syrah 2016;
Bon Courage Chardonnay Unwooded 2022;
Canto Méthode Cap Classique Brut 2020;
Delaire Graff Banghoek Reserve Chardonnay 2022;
Delaire Graff White Reserve 2021 (Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend);
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc 2022;
Hartenberg Woolworths Reserve Collection Chardonnay 2022;
KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2022;
Louisvale Five Barrels Cabernet Sauvignon 2020;
MAN Free-run Steen Chenin Blanc 2022;
Oldenburg Rondekop Stone Axe Syrah 2021;
Spier Woolworths Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Events
TROPHY WINE SHOW
The Trophy Wine Show is to host the 2023 public tastings in both Johannesburg and Cape Town once again, starting at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday (June 14).Wine lovers will be spoilt for choice with at least 110 wines of distinction – the silver, gold and trophy winning wines and some museum class winners during these single night tastings in each city. Highlights include the Best White and Best Red Wines of Show.
The show starts at 17:00 and ends at 21:00. Tickets available through webtickets, costing R220 for early bird bookings until tomorrow (June 9); R250 thereafter. Subject to availability, tickets at the door cost R290.
Tickets are limited, and include the sampling of all wines and the tasting glass to take home. The second leg of the show will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on June 21.
FORTIFIED WINE FIESTA
The Muratie Flavours of Winter Festival invites wine lovers to head out to Stellenbosch for a mellow fireside celebration of Cape “Port” and fortified style wines – on July 1. The Muratie Farm Kitchen will be serving a delicious array of traditional & rustic meals suited to the wintertime. The evening at one of the Cape’s oldest wineries will start with a glass of a luscious fortified wine to warm the cockles of your heart, with live music in the background and some warm treats to enjoy.
The evening will be warmly hosted by the winemakers from Muratie, Allesverloren, Axe Hill, Delaire Graff, Boplaas,
The Fledge and Peter Bayly. All the wines on show will be available for purchase at cellar door prices. Tickets cost R195 (children free). Due to limited space, book in advance (021) 865 2330 or or book online at https://www.muratie.co.za/muratie-event/flavours-of-winter/#tribe-tickets
JOZI’S WHISKY AFFAIR
Fun-filled three days await whisky fans during the Grand Tasting Whisky Festival 2023 to be held at Nasrec in Johannesburg, starting from June 16 to 18.
The event brings an arsenal of the best whiskies produced and marketed in South Africa.
These whiskies will be paired with unique flavours from the best bar-tenders and sommeliers in the industry. There will also be a variety of tastings, seminars, and workshops, including the opportunity to taste some of the best whiskies from around the world, learn about the history of the spirit, and join in on some fun activities, while mingling with producers of some of the finest whiskies in a more intimate setting.
Tickets cost R200. Check more details at: www.grandtasting.co.za
BRANDY FEST IN STELLENBOSCH
Brandy enthusiasts will savour the finest selection of spirit Stellenbosch has to offer during the Mini-Brandy Festival set for June 24 and 25.
The event comes at a time when the crème de la crème of South African brandies blaze in the glory of having scooped awards at a recent international competition, including the World’s Best Wine Brandy Award garnered by Van Rhyn’s 15YO. It takes place at Morgenhof Estate in Stellenbosch. Times and dates for the event are: June 24 (15:00 – 20:00) and June 25 (12:00 – 18:00).
Only 100 Earlybird tickets are available, for just R150 per person.
Guests will be offered two sumptuous cocktails and indulge in six exquisite South African brandy tastings brought by SA Brandy Foundation and Cocktail Kitchen at Morgenhof Estate on Klapmuts, Stellenbosch.
KNYSNA WINE FEST
The Greater Knysna social set will once again join in the revelry of the ever-popular Knysna Wine Festival, which is taking place during this year’s Knysna Oyster Festival from July 7 to 8.
“Locals and visitors to the show will experience a vast range of wines and gin while chatting with the vintners and distillers,” said Belinda Hobson, co-owner of the Knysna Wine Festival.
With the Knysna Wine Festival known as one of the Knysna Oyster Festival’s premier events, this year’s event once again takes place at the luxurious resort – Knysna Mooring on George Rex Drive. Tickets are available for purchase online through webtickets.co.za. Featured wineries include Antonij Rupert, Cederberg, De Grendal, DGB, Diemersdal, Graham Beck and Haute Cabrière.
