,
WELL thank Heavens for that: Judges at this year’s Michelangelo awards remarked “that very few wines with the so-called ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+ëburnt rubber’ phenomenon were tasted, despite inferences to this effect in the media.”
Where this statement fits into the announcement of the Michelangelo results or where these media “inferences” appeared, one can only wonder?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-+?-+..but wait, there’s more, according to the press announcement the judging panel showed some semi-stiffs and wet ones,after tasting the Cabernet Franc category. Pause for media announcement: “One judge was of the opinion that they (the Cabernet Franc entries) were better than those from the Loire Valley and the panel awarded one gold and three silver medals to this class of six entries.”
Despite the comic relief,presented by these truly weird statements, Michelangelo offered some interesting results. This year 240 producers entered a total of 1 310 wines of which 426 received medals. A total of 28 Grand D’Or, 116 gold medals and 282 silver medals were awarded by the 15 international judges.
In the Grand D’Or section it was interesting to see Worcester co-op Badsberg garner three of the big golds, the most of any producer. These were for the Badsberg Noble Late Harvest 2009, Badsberg Noble Late Harvest 2005 and the Badsberg Badlese 2009.
In a wine scene dominated by boutique operations and cash-flush corporates it is refreshing to find big, burly co-ops still able to produce sterling wines. In fact, it can be asked whether Badsberg should not have been awarded the Michelangelo’s Trophy for Producer of the year. Badsberg took three Grand D’Ors and one Gold (Chardonnay 2009). The show’s top producer ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+¦ Diemersdal ?+¦-+???+¦-ú?-¦?+¦-ú?+¦+¦ excelled with six Golds, but on paper Badsberg’s three Grand D’Or surpassed this admittedly honour-worthy achievement.
,Paarl producer Anura notched up two Grand D’Ors for the Anura Shiraz Mourv?+¦???+¦?+¦-+?+¦+ërde Reserve 2003 and Anura Chardonnay Limited Release 2009. Two goldies apiece,
also, to Journey’s End (Chardonnay 2008 and Merlot 2007) as well as Saronsberg (Provenance Red 2008 and Shiraz 2007)
Other Grand D’Or winners: Altydgedacht Pinotage 2009:
Bloemendal Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Bonnievale Cellar Chardonnay 2010
Dieu Donn+¬ Merlot 2008
Dunstone Shiraz 2008
Grand Provence Chardonnay 2009
Groote Post Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Hoopenburg Chardonnay 2007
Kranskop Chardonnay 2008
Leopard Frog Vineyards Spellbinding Chenin Blanc 2006-2009 vintage blend
Marianne Shiraz 2007
Mischa Merlot 2009
Mount Vernon Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence 2009
Neil Joubert Shiraz 2002
Perdeberg Rex Equus Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Swartland Blanc de Noir 2010
Welgegund Pinotage 2009
Zorgvliet Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
-,,, Faizel van der Vyver
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Just a quick note that Badsberg is part of the Breedekloof wine region, not neighbouring Worcester. Badsberg dominates the Young Wine Show every year and their Soetes win gold across a range of competitions. So worth investigating. I work for them – indirectly!