Boschendal Goes Gold with Chardonnay

Lizelle Gerber celebrates!
Lizelle Gerber celebrates!

Boschendal, South Africa’s oldest privately owned winery, was one of only three South African wineries to achieve Gold Medal status at the 2009 Monde Selection International Wine Contest held in Maleizen in Belgium. The Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2008 was also the only South African Chardonnay to win Gold in this prestigious international wine competition in which over 1600 wines from 70 countries were judged during April.
The International Wine Contest of Monde Selection is recognized by the European Union and takes place under the supervision of Enforcement and Mediation ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+¦ Directorate General for Federal Public Service Economy.
According to Lizelle Gerber, white wine winemaker at the Franschhoek-based winer, Boschendal’s access to superb plant material contributes to the success of the Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay.
“At any international wine competition, the wines in the Chardonnay Category are always going to be compared to the great wines of Burgundy,” she says. “However, the specific range of soil and climatic influences on our Chardonnay vineyards gives our wine a unique South African character – that ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+ësomething different’ international judges are looking for. In the case of the Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay, this means the austere minerality of Europe together with sumptuous sunny fruit so characteristic of New World countries. The limited use of oak also allows for more fruit expression.”
Gerber says success at international wine competitions is extremely important in the current economic climate.
“The wine industry has never been more competitive, so international recognition is as important for a brand like Boschendal as it is for the South African wine industry,” she says. “International markets are currently reluctant to pay the high prices wines from traditional European producers command, and are looking for quality wines from countries like South Africa which do not carry huge price-tags.
“Having the Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay winning an important award at the Monde Selection where it is compared to the best in the world, not only honours our winemaking and vineyards, but also is a tremendous boost for our image in the competitive global market-place.”

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