THE TOP SA red blends in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SA RED BLEND RATINGS IN 2013 AA Badenhorst Red 2010 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Anthonij Rupert Red 2007 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Ashton Kelder Roodewal 2011 – Gold Medal at Trophy Wine
Read moreBEYERSKLOOF, Kanonkop, KWV, L’Avenir and Rijk’s top the list of contenders for Champion Pinotage Producer in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP PINOTAGE RATINGS IN 2013 Anura Reserve 2011 – Top 10 in Top 10 Pinotage Competition, Double Gold Medal at Michelangelo Awards Beyerskloof Diesel 2010 –
Read moreTOP SA PINOT NOIR in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from top panels judging ‘blind’: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN PINOT NOIR RATINGS IN 2013 Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak 2011 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Chamonix Reserve 2011 – Trophy at Classic Wine Trophy Competition Chamonix Reserve 2012 – Double Gold Medal at Six Nations Wine Challenge, 4½ Stars in Platter’s
Read moreAS IN MANY previous years, there were slim pickings when it came to the very top SA Merlot in 2013… Only the following wines achieved really outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings in 2013: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN MERLOT RATINGS IN 2013 De Grendel 2010 – Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards Eagles’ Nest 2009 – Double Gold Medal at
Read moreTOP SA SHIRAZ in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN SHIRAZ RATINGS IN 2013 Asara 2010 – Gold Medal at Trophy Wine Show Boekenhoutskloof 2003 – 5 Stars in Christian Eedes Report Boekenhoutskloof 2011 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Boschendal Reserve Collection 2011 – Trophy at
Read moreTOP SA CABS in 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON RATINGS IN 2013 Boekenhoutskloof 2011 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide Cederberg Five Generations 2011 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide, Double Gold Medal at Veritas Awards Delaire Graff Reserve 2009 – Trophy at
Read moreNEDERBURG and Nuy remain dominant among South Africa’s most successful sweet wine producers, but the competition is growing and getting stiffer… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world in 2013: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN DESSERT WINE RATINGS IN 2013 – UNFORTIFIED Badsberg Badslese Natural Sweet 2012 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide Boekenhoutskloof Noble
Read moreFAMILIAR AND not-so-familiar names among South Africa’s most successful sparkling wine producers in 2013… The following bubblies achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN SPARKLING WINE RATINGS IN 2013 Ayama Blanc de Blanc 2008 – 4½ Stars in Classic Wine Magazine Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2008 – Double Gold
Read moreCAPE POINT, Chamonix, Delaire Graff, DeMorgenzon, Steenberg, Tokara and Vergelegen top the list of contenders for South Africa’s champion white blend producer for 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN WHITE BLEND RATINGS IN 2013 AA Badenhorst 2011 – 4½ Stars in Platter’s Guide
Read moreGRAHAM BECK, Kleine Zalze, Rijk’s, Sadie, Stellenrust and Windmeul top the list of contenders for South Africa’s champion Chenin Blanc producer for 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN CHENIN BLANC RATINGS IN 2013 Beaumont Hope Marguerite 2012 – 5 Stars in Platter’s Guide
Read moreCAPE POINT, Cederberg, Diemersdal, Graham Beck, Kleine Zalze, KWV, Quoin Rock, Reyneke and Shannon top the list of contenders for South Africa’s champion Sauvignon Blanc producer for 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN SAUVIGNON BLANC RATINGS IN 2013 Alexanderfontein Chip off The Old
Read moreGROOT Constantia, Hamilton Russell, KWV The Mentors, Paul Cluver and Rustenberg Five Soldiers top the list of contenders for South Africa’s champion Chardonnay of the year for 2013… The following wines achieved outstanding reviews from the judges at blind-tastings around the world during the past 12 months: TOP SOUTH AFRICAN CHARDONNAY RATINGS IN 2013 Bartinney 2012 – 4½ Stars, Classic
Read moreAPPLAUDED as the top-performing cellars at the 2013 Veritas Awards according to the type and number of medals won were: KWV, Nederburg, Boplaas, De Grendel and Flagstone. Also singled out for special mention were: Delaire Graff, Eagles’ Nest, Graham Beck, Kanonkop, Rustenberg, Simonsig, Spier, Tokara and Windmeul. Among the newcomers of note? Rivendell near Bot River (good Sauvignon Blanc) and Kleinhoekkloof near Ashton (standout Merlot). For the
Read moreNEDBANK’S presentation of American Express Platinum Fine Dining Awards to Waterkloof on the Sir Lowry’s Pass Road outside Somerset West and De Grendel on the Tygerberg Hill in Panorama/Durbanville brings the number of top SA wine farm restaurant laureates during the past year to around 20, i.e. including those that achieved top honours in the 2013 Eat Out Awards and/or Three Star ratings for
Read moreTHE 2013 FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc Awards organised by the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group of South Africa again threw the spotlight on a number of wines regularly applauded as counting among the country’s best, as well as on some that have repeatedly vied for attention on the best-value scale. WINNERS AT THE FNB SAUVIGNON BLANC AWARDS Alexanderfontein Chip
Read moreThe Three Pines vineyard at Stark-Condé, Jonkershoek Valley STARK-CONDÉ WINES in the Jonkershoek Valley of Stellenbosch was the Most Successful Producer at the 2013 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, followed by the cellars of KWV, Delaire Graff, Rustenberg, Cederberg, Rijk’s, Jordan, Diemersfontein, Eikendal, Hillcrest and Simonsig. And just as interesting as the latest reviews regarding some of South Africa’s top quality
Read moreSYRAH du Monde is held in May every year at Château d’Ampuis in the northern Rhône, France. A taste-off involving some of the world’s best Shiraz, it’s a respected international competition which in 2013 involved 423 wines from 28 countries. Gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded, with much praise heaped on the Top 10. This year five South African
Read moreONE OF the largest wine competitions in the world, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles culminates with awards being presented in May each year. The International Union of Oènologists who organise the event are based in Belgium, although the judging has been conducted in numerous countries over the years and over 40 nationalities are represented on the tasting panels who determine
Read moreTHE BIGGEST wine competition in the world takes place in London and involves over 400 judges including over 40 Masters of Wine (UK) as well as wine journalists and wine buyers from around the globe. Medal winners are announced in May every year with trophies presented at an awards dinner held in September. The top-performing South African wines this year
Read moreNOW IN ITS third year, the Top 100 SA Wine Challenge is a competition with objectives that include “helping to re-position South Africa’s top wines”. According to the organisers: “Consumer friendly and simple, we de-myth the bunk yet keep the romance of fine wine flowing.” The judges are predominantly Masters of Wine (UK), and the Challenge culminates in April each year
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