The SA Young Wine Show has been offering winemakers the opportunity to measure their various wines, experimental styles and new cultivars against their peers in the wine industry since 1833, which makes it the oldest wine show in the world.
According to the producers’ organisation Vinpro the wine producers and winemakers are positive about the quality of the wines from the 2018 crop, despite challenging conditions which have led to one of the smallest harvests in more than a decade. ”The 2018 season was indeed challenging due to one of the most severe droughts in 100 years, together with water restrictions and frost damage in certain areas,” said Francois Viljoen, manager of Vinpro’s viticultural consultation service.
The Young Wine show now presents the ideal opportunity for all producers to compete with their choice wines for SA champion trophies in 17 classes.
The white wine classes include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other White Cultivars, Dry White Blends, Off-dry White Wines and Noble Late Harvest. In the classes for red wine, trophies are at stake for the best Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivars and Dry Red Blends. The most outstanding Port, Dessert Wine and Muscadel will also be named.
High recognition is at stake. About 2 000 wines are annually tasted to decide who wins the sought-after General Smuts and Pietman Hugo Trophies. The General Smuts Trophy is the competition’s top accolade and has been awarded to the overall champion wine since 1952, while the cellar with the highest total for five entries receives the Pietman Hugo Trophy.
The specialist judging panels comprise seven qualified members each and will comprehensively evaluate the young wines at the Nederburg Auction Complex in Paarl from 23 - 27 July. As is customary, an eighth aspirant judge will be included to each panel for training purposes, but these junior judges’ points will not be taken into account.
The national winners will be revealed at the awards function on 25 August, this year presented in the historical Stellenbosch City Hall by Agri-Expo.
The SA Young Wine Show catalogue and entry form for 2018 are available at www.youngwineshow.co.za or e-mail info@veritas.co.za.
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