The winners of the 2019 Pinotage Rosé Competition were announced during an award ceremony held at the Lanzerac Estate in Stellenbosch. Judging by the number of entries received this year is it clear that interest in this category has grown by leaps and bounds. More producers are adding Pinotage rosé to their product range due to the increased demand for this wine category. Surely this competition has contributed to the growth of this category and it is really good to see winemakers embracing the diversity of Pinotage. Vice-chair of the Pinotage Association De Wet Viljoen says, “We are very happy that Pinotage rosé is also represented in the Pinotage competitions – with all the different expressions of Pinotage possible, it is in fact no surprise to see this category so well represented. As before we are seeing rosé wines with exceptional freshness and high quality which confirms the vision to expand Pinotage not only in terms of possible wine styles, but also participation by various market stakeholders.”
Tina Playne, Absa’s managing executive of sectors and segments relationship banking, says, “The addition of new Pinotage competitions is a shining example of the dynamism between Absa and Pinotage, a dynamism intent on growing the South African wine industry and benefiting everybody involved.”
The full judging panel consisted of: Wilhelm Pienaar (Hermanuspietersfontein), Janno Briers-Louw (Eenzaamheid), Samarie Smith (Benguela Cove), Nataleé Botha (Kleine Zalze) and Heinrich Kulsen (Nederburg).
WINNERS – 2019 PINOTAGE ROSÉ COMPETITION
Alvi’s Drift Signature Pinotage Rosé 2019
Winemaker - Dr. Alvi van der Merwe
Beyerskloof Pinotage Dry Rosé 2019
Winemaker - Anri Truter
Landskroon Blanc de Noir Pinotage Off-Dry 2019
Winemaker - Michiel du Toit
Windmeul Pinotage Rosé 2019
Winemaker - Abraham van Heerden