AT THE 2017 Six Nations Wine Challenge awards banquet in Sydney, New Zealand was the most successful country, winning 6 trophies, 22 double gold medals and 35 golds. The next most successful was the USA (4 trophies, 18 double golds and 20 golds), followed by Australia, South Africa and Canada, with Chile bringing up the rear in a competition judged by five wine authorities who each nominated a maximum of 100 wines to represent their respective countries: Huon Hooke (Australia), Bob Campbell (New Zealand), Eduardo Brethauer (Chile), Patrick Comiskey (USA) and Christopher Waters (Canada). South Africa’s contingent was nominated by the country’s regular member of the Six Nations panel, Michael Fridjhon, who couldn’t cross the Atlantic this time round due to an accident that required surgery to his shoulder.

The competition is about identifying the best wines from the six countries, inviting the producers to participate and then asking a team of experts to choose The New World Champions. South Africa’s trophy winners were from cellars in the Helderberg area of Stellenbosch: Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin 2015 and the Uva Mira O.T.V. 2014 that won the class for Bordeaux-style red blends. All of the SA laureates below, with the full results and more info about the competition here.

TROPHY WINNERS

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2015
Uva Mira O.T.V. Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

DOUBLE GOLD WINNERS

Bosman Nero d’Avola 2015
Darling Cellars Old Bush Vines Cinsaut 2015
Graham Beck Brut Blanc de Blancs 2012 – MCC Sparkling Chardonnay
Simonsig Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs 2012 – MCC Sparkling Chardonnay
Silverthorn The Green Man Brut 2011 – MCC Sparkling Chardonnay
Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – Wooded
Steenberg Lady R Méthode Cap Classique 2011 – Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay
Uva Mira The Dance Cabernet Franc 2014

GOLD MEDALLISTS

Boschendal Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut NV – MCC Sparkling
Botanica Chenin Blanc 2015
Chamonix Reserve Chardonnay 2015
Constantia MCC 2013 – Sparkling Chardonnay
Darling Cellars Old Bush Vines Chenin Blanc 2016
De Krans Tritonia 2015 – Red Blend
Deetlefs Familie 2014 – Semillon
Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Diemersdal Private Collection 2015 – Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Eikendal Chardonnay 2015
Ernie Els Signature 2013 – Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Graham Beck Cuvée Clive 2009 – MCC Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Haskell IV 2012 – Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Mulderbosch 1000 Miles Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Nederburg Eminence Muscat de Frontignan 2007
Newton Johnson Family Reserve Pinot Noir 2015
Nitida Golden Orb Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Paul Cluver Riesling Dry Encounter 2016
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2016
Paul Wallace Black Dog Malbec 2014
Paul Wallace Braveheart Pinot Noir 2015
Restless River Ava Marie Chardonnay 2015
Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2015
Shannon Mount Bullet Merlot 2014
The Foundry Grenache Blanc 2015