AMONG the many words that the Greek philosopher Aristotle is famous for having strung together are that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, something to be debated come the Absa Perold Cape Blend Awards honouring combinations that include a minimum of 30% and no more than 70% Pinotage.

There were 53 entries in the 2017 edition of the competition, and speaking during the awards function held at the Overture Restaurant of Hidden Valley Wines in the Helderberg, Stellenbosch, Pinotage Association chair Beyers Truter said that: “It’s encouraging to see how winemakers have embraced this challenge by creating unique wines that involve a vast array of styles and techniques.”

Also applauded on this occasion were the winners of the Association’s first competition specifically for Rosé wines made using South Africa’s most successful ‘indigenous’ variety.

The jury: Jacques Roux (experienced judge and former marketing director of DGB), Fred Viljoen and Johan Malan (proprietors and cellarmasters at Viljoensdrift and Simonsig respectively), Susan Erasmus (previously winemaker at Vrede en Lust and now at Laffort SA), Brad Gold (Cape Wine Master and head of marketing at Oak Valley) and Marené de Beer (winemaker at Altydgedacht).

The verdict: see below for the panel’s favourites. For the names of the runners-up and more info about the competitions, see here.

WINNERS OF 2017 PEROLD CAPE BLEND AWARD

Cape West Shiraz Pinotage Limited Release 2015
Namaqua Wines, WO Olifants River

Idiom Cape Blend 2015
WO Stellenbosch: Pinotage, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz

Lyngrove Platinum Latitude 2015
WO Stellenbosch: Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz

Simonsig Frans Malan Cape Blend 2015
WO Stellenbosch: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot

Windmeul Cape Blend Reserve 2015
WO Coastal: Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot

RECIPIENTS OF 2017 PINOTAGE ROSÉ AWARD

Painted Wolf The Den Pinotage Rosé 2017
WO Paarl

Riebeek Cellars Pinotage Rosé 2017
WO Swartland

Rooiberg Pinotage Rosé 2017
WO Robertson