The Sommeliers Selection is the only South African wine competition judged solely by a panel of South Africa’s top sommeliers, in categories fashioned around the perfect varietals for both a restaurant wine menu and to accompany food. This year more than 400 wines from the country's top wine estates were entered into the contest. Winning wines, beer and gin come from more than 60 farms with stand-out wines including the Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2018, Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2014, Idiom Bordeaux Blend 2015, Villiera Wines Tradition Brut NV, Peter Falke Wines Méthode Cap Classique 2013 and, in the craft beer category, the Cape Brewing Company's Mandarina Bavaria IPA.
These - and many more - can be sampled at the tasting evenings to be held in October in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Says Darielle Robertson from The Sommeliers Selection: “Our panel of sommeliers blind taste individually, before discussing the wines and deciding if they fulfill the criteria of being placed on the Sommeliers Selection ‘ultimate’ wine list. With categories such as Fresh & Crunchy White or Voluptuous & Rich Red, wines of different varieties, blends and pricing, but stylistically similar, can stand alongside each other and restaurant patrons can choose a wine that suits their palate and their pocket.”
Judges for this year's competition were Joakim Hansi Blackadder, head of the wine programme for The Hoghouse Brewing Company and board member of both Somm Hospitality Enterprises and SA Sommelier Association; Wikus Human, head sommelier at Marble restaurant and the 2017 Best Young Sommelier in South Africa award winner; Tinashe Nyamudoka, head sommelier at The Test Kitchen who has represented Zimbabwe at the World Blind Tasting Championships and is a board member of the South African Sommelier Association and the Black Cellar Club; Chantelle Gous who works with the Singita Premierwine Direct team; Wayve Kolevsohn, head sommelier at The Test Kitchen in Cape Town; Esmé Groenewald, administrator for the SA Sommelier Association and board member of Somm Hospitality Enterprises; Barry Scholfield, board member of the SA Sommelier Association and Somm Hospitality Enterprises; Tongai Joseph Dhafana, internationally celebrated sommelier from La Calombe, wine judge with his own successful wine label Mosi Wines and board member of the BLACC Cellar and Xolani Mancotywa, recently appointed as a private client's manager for the Moet Hennessy portfolio in South Africa.
The Sommeliers Selection tastings take place in October at:
Johannesburg
Durban
Western Cape
Social media: