THERE WERE 320 entries in South Africa’s 2020 Ultra Value Wine Challenge. 73 won silver, 64 won gold, 23 wines won double gold and of these 10 were lauded as the most highly rated – see below. Ultra Value Red Wine of the Year: Pandora’s Box The Persian Connection Shiraz NV, from Nicholson Smith Agencies. Ultra Value White Wine of
Read moreFOR THE annual Six Nations Wine Challenge staged in Sydney, Australia, entries are submitted following an invitation to the producers from the wine writer and judge representing each of the participating countries. In 2019 the panel of critics comprised South Africa’s Michael Fridjhon (chair), Australia’s Huon Hooke, New Zealand’s Terry Copeland, the USA’s Patrick Comiskey and Canada’s Christopher Waters. Each
Read moreTHAT IT IS sponsored by the respected International Wine Challenge in the UK makes this 2019 list of the world’s 50 best wine farms notable, for sure. However, we are not told the names of the judges. What we are told is that ‘The World’s Best Vineyards Academy’ comprises nearly 500 leading wine aficionados, sommeliers, and luxury travel correspondents from
Read moreSA WINERIES excelled at the 2018 Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia, with Stellenbosch, Somerset West and Paarl producers winning trophies in the company of top cellars representing six New World countries: Australia, New Zealand, Chile, the USA, Canada and South Africa. A Stellenrust Chenin triumphed in the category for non-aromatic whites and Morgenster came top among the Bordeaux-style
Read moreAT 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
Read moreONCE AGAIN South Africa has excelled at the Six Nations Wine Challenge in Sydney, Australia. At the 2015 edition of the competition, up against Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Chile and Argentina, Cape cellars achieved four trophies and dominated the classes Chardonnay, White Blends and varieties including Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc. The Challenge was won by New Zealand, with Australia second and
Read morePINOTAGE 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
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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