National Wine Challenge 2018 Judging starts today!

Monday, 16 April, 2018
buybetterwine.com
The long anticipated day has arrived! Today the National Wine Challenge / Top 100 SA Wines judging kicks off. The concept is simple... use the best local & international palates in the global industry to assess and select the very best wines, and then present those currently available offerings direct to the consumer. Below are those great palates!

Meet our Chairman - Greg Sherwood MW is a London based South African Master of Wine and Fine Wine Buyer at Handford Wines in South Kensington. He is a regular judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards, SA Top 100, Nederburg Wine Auction and WOSA World Sommelier Awards, and tastes many of the world's finest wines every week.

Greg Sherwood MW

Richard Kershaw MW Panel Chair - born and raised in the UK, Richard travelled extensively before settling in South Africa in 1999 to make wine full time.One of only 10 Masters of Wine who actively make their own wines and South Africa’s only winemaking Master of Wine, Richard is much in demand when not in the vineyard or cellar. A wine show judge for many prestigious competitions around the globe, he is also part of the educational panel for the Institute of Masters of
Wine, lectures for the WSET (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) in South Africa, and shares the breadth of his knowledge with students and consumers via talks, tastings and blogs.

Duncan Savage - left his day job for the ‘Pursuit of a Savage’ adventure. Previously the winemaker at Cape Point Vineyards he successfully introduced his own label in 2011. Duncan’s goal is to produce rock-solid classic and elegant wines. His wines have been recognised both locally and internationally, with numerous 5 star ratings in both the Platter’s guide and Wine Magazine as well as several 90+ Wine Spectator ratings. This will be Duncan’s 8th year successfully judging for NWC/Top 100.

Matthew Day - Joburg-born Matt graduated with a degree in viticulture and oenology from Stellenbosch University in 2007. An internship at Meerlust was followed by harvests in the Barossa Valley, Napa and Bordeaux. He joined Klein Constantia as assistant winemaker in 2009, and assumed full responsibility for the cellar in 2012. His philosophy is ‘to keep it simple and allow the wine to express itself with as little intervention as possible’. In his spare time, he enjoys canoe polo, mountain biking, running and spending time with his daughter.

JD Pretorius - Graduating with a BSc degree in Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch in 2007, JD joined Beyerskloof as cellar hand, then Graham Beck Wines as harvest supervisor. A stint at Stonestreet Wines in Sonoma led to his appointment to the Steenberg team as Winemaker in 2009. In 2014 JD won the coveted title of Young Winemaker of the Year, following with his promotion to Steenberg Cellar Master. He has also gained practical wine assessing experience as a judge for the OMTS.

Ginette De Fleuriot & Wayve Kolvesohn

Ginette De Fleuriot - is a Cape Wine Master and is Marketing Manager for Vinimark Wine Company. She began her career in wine in Germany, working in wine retail, wine education and freelance journalism. A lecturer for the Cape Wine Academy, Ginette has also been a contributor to the Platter Wine Guide. She has served as a wine judge for Veritas, SAA Wine Selection panel, Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, the Nederburg Auction Selection panel and te Best Value Wine Guide.

And finally, new to the team and judging for Buy Better Wine for the first time this year, we welcome Wayve.

Wayve Kolvesohn - Cape Town born, Wayve graduated from the Cape Town Hotel School and headed off to London where she began her career at a Michelin starred restaurant, Chez Bruce. Upon her return and after completing her post-graduate degree she spent the next few years working at Le Quartier Francais managing the restaurant, The Tasting Room and then continued on as Head Sommelier of The Test Kitchen in Cape Town. Wayve completed her wine studies through the WSET and London Wine & Spirit School, and in 2015 headed to Asia where she worked as Head Sommelier for LVMH-owned private resort Cheval Blanc Randheli in the Maldives. Wayve recently got her hands dirty completing her first harvest internship at Fable Mountain Vineyards and is now Western Cape Manager for Ex Animo Wine Co.

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Richard Kershaw MW
Richard Kershaw MW

Duncan Savage
Duncan Savage

Matthew Day
Matthew Day

JD Pretorius
JD Pretorius

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