Pinotage and white blend wave the flag for South Africa at 2013 Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia
PINOTAGE was the most successful variety for South Africa at the 2013 Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia, with three double gold medals presented for Pinotage wines made in various parts of the Cape. Specifically, the Mentors Pinotage 2011 from KWV of Paarl won first prize in the Major Red Variety Class, with double golds also going to the Diesel Pinotage 2010 from Beyerskloof in Stellenbosch and the 2009 vintage from Rijk’s in Tulbagh.
KWV was one of 17 category winners at the Challenge this year, a competition contested by wines from Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, South Africa and, for the first time, the United States of America. Tokara of Stellenbosch was the other SA trophy winner, triumphant in the White Blend Class with their Director’s Reserve 2011 – one of two dozen South African wines to earn a gold medal or better at a show unique insofar as the entries comprise nominations by the six judges from the six countries involved.
The trophies for best red wine and best wine overall went to Kusuda Syrah 2010 from New Zealand, and the trophy for best white wine overall went to Pressing Matters Riesling 2012 from Australia, also the winning nation overall this year. The USA won five trophies, Australia four, Argentina and New Zealand three each, South Africa two and Chile none.
For more information about the competition, the judges and the full results which extend to Medals of Excellence, click here. For the top South African performances, see below: