South Africa might have put on a successful World Cup, but when it comes to cocking-up wine competitions, we are in a real class of our own. 2010 has already seen its set of clangers, and the season has still to get into full-swing.
First-up was the Old Mutual Trophy boobie with a Zonnebloem wine being stripped of its award because it was not deemed to be a proper Bordeaux-style blend. Get this: You can chuck 15% Chardonnay into a Sauvignon Blanc and enter the Sauvignon Blanc category with legit. But put in a percentage point of Shiraz into a Bordeaux-style blend, and we’ll show you the door old boy.
Recently, then, there was the Woman Winemaker of the Year hoax where the winning winemaker did not, well, make all of the wine all by herself and after some reporting on the issue, she and her bosses spread the love and announced, yes, well, it was a team effort and her R25,000 prize money will be spread around with much love to all concerned who have skill and love and assisted her with making the?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-+?-+?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-+?-+
Struth, and we haven’t even hit the Guarantee a Balls-Up Diner’s Club Competition yet!
Nor that dud of all dud competitions, the Michelangelo Wine Awards. Judged by a gaggle of foreign palates ranging from waiters in off-track Copenhagen gay bars to Indian spark-plug salesmen who head-up the Rangoon Rover Wine Society.
A gong, a gong, my kingdom for a gong.
On the newsfront, copy is awash with the Government’s idea of a media tribunal to assist journalists in refraining from being too harsh on public figures and state matters. A better idea would be to create some body overseeing the competence of those organizing local wine shows?
In any event, after copious research and exhaustive newshounding, it has been established that this year’s Terroir Wine Awards went off without a glitch. All kosher on that front. Herewith the dope:
PRESS RELEASE
After a record 239 entries for the fifth annual SA Terroir Wine Awards, three wine estates stood out with two National Certificate winners each, Kaapzicht, Wildekrans and Klein Constantia. Kaapzicht in the Bottelary ward was the top performer with the two national winners, Kaapzicht Steytler Vision 2007 for Top Red Blend and Kaapzicht Merlot 2007 for Top Merlot, as well as two top wines in the Stellenbosch district, Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2007 and Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+¦ all from the same vintage.
Wildekrans in the Bot River ward entered National Certificate winners for Top Chenin Blanc, the Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Select 2009, and Top Sparkling Wine, the Wildekrans Chenin MCC 2008. The National Certificate winners from Klein Constantia in the Constantia ward are the Klein Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 for Top Cabernet Sauvignon and the Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2006 for Top Natural Sweet Wine.
The other 2010 National Certificate winners are the Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Franc 2008 (Paarl-Simonsberg ward) for Top Cabernet Franc, Bartinney Chardonnay 2008 (Banghoek ward) for Top Chardonnay, De Grendel Winifred 2009 (Durbanville ward) for Top White Blend, Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage 2008 (Wellington ward) for Top Pinotage,, Bloemendal Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (Durbanville ward) for Top Sauvignon Blanc, Neethlingshof Malbec 2009 (Stellenbosch estate wine) for Top Malbec, Bon Courage Inkar?+¦???+¦?+¦-ú?+¡ Shiraz 2008 (Robertson estate wine) for Top Shiraz, Fort Simon Platinum Collection Viognier 2009 (Bottelary ward) for Top Viognier, Signatures of Doolhof Petit Verdot 2008 (Wellington ward) for Top Petit Verdot, David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Semillon 2009 (Elim ward) for Top Semillon and Slanghoek Red Muscadel 2009 (Slanghoek ward) for Top Muscat.
For the first time ever a trophy was awarded to the top wine area in South Africa, based on a specific winegrowing terrain that produced most of the wines that went to the final round for a SA Terroir National Certificate, as well as the number of wines that received a National Certificate. The first winner of the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area is the Wellington ward, with seven finalists and two national winners (Diemersfontein Pinotage and Doolhof Petit Verdot). Welbedacht of Schalk Burger & Sons produced three of the seven national finalists from Wellington.
Ends
I like this part about Wellington coming to the fore. Like the cool dudes out Paardeberg way, Wellington has been making a huge effort to try new varieties and improve vineyard practices.
Diemersfontein and Doolhof have brought two hot brands to the region with luscious, appealing New World wines. And Schalk Burger’s Welbedacht makes some extremely interesting wines in a classic, elegant old style.
A region to watch ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+¦ great for Lappies and the Terroir team to reaffirm this.
,- Adrian Morgan
Enjoyed this article?
Subscribe and never miss a post again.
Hey Emile, what a giggle! Thanks mate, I was having a crappy morning but you really sorted that out one time!