ODD that perennial sweet wine favourites Alvi’s Drift, Nuy and Orange River Cellars didn’t get a look in at the 2018 Muskadel SA Awards for fortified desserts, but maybe they didn’t field any of the 31 wines entered this time round. Then again, two of the Top 10 cellars in this category came storming through – Bon Courage winning with both their red and white versions, and Du Toitskloof fielding their lovely Red Muscadel.

Also noteworthy about the results is the award for an older (2009) vintage from Conradie Penhill – if only the wineries would put some more golden oldies on the market, which, for example, Nuy of Worcester, KWV of Paarl and Badsberg of the Breedekloof have done in the past.

THE JUDGES: wine writer Dave Biggs, Hans Lösch (previously of Monis and now of Columbit), Klawer winemaker Cerina van Niekerk, with Cape Wine Masters Raymond Noppé and Nina Mari Bruwer. For more info, you can enquire here.

MUSKADEL SA AWARD WINNERS

Badsberg Perlé Moscato 2018
R44 pb at the cellar in Rawsonville, Breedekloof

Bon Courage Red Muscadel 2017
R85 pb at the cellar in Robertson

Bon Courage White Muscadel 2017
R85 pb at the cellar in Robertson

Boplaas Heritage Collection White Muscadel 2013
R120 pb at the cellar in Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo

Conradie Red Muscadel 2009
R120 pb (375ml) at Conradie Penhill cellar in Nuy Valley, Worcester

Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2015
R60 pb at the cellar in Rawsonville, Breedekloof

Montagu Winery Red Muscadel 2017
R60 pb at the cellar in Montagu, Klein Karoo

MWS Red Muscadel NV
R62 pb at the cellar in Montagu, Klein Karoo

TOP SA MUSCATS OVER PAST 10 YEARS

• Alvi’s Drift Muscat de Frontignan
• Bon Courage Red Muscadel
• Bon Courage White Muscadel
• Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo
• Merwida White Muscadel
• Nuy Red Muscadel
• Nuy White Muscadel
• Orange River Cellars Red Muscadel
• Orange River Cellars White Muscadel
• Slanghoek Red Muscadel

For the full SA Fortified Dessert Wine Classification, see here.