Within the past few weeks, when the year's leading wine championships traditionally culminate, Van Loveren has amassed no less than 15 of the most envied medals and a trophy for Best Méthode Cap Classique at the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards.
Of the medals Van Loveren claimed between the Michelangelo Awards, Veritas and the Ultra Value Wine Challenge, four were Double Golds and nine, Golds.
"We are gratified by the recognition the most recent awards have given our wines because they also shine a spotlight on the dedication and skill of our viti- and vinicultural teams," says Van Loveren Family Vineyards MD Phillip Retief. "The diverse wine styles, price points and grape varieties that feature in these achievements highlights the golden thread of excellence that underscores the Van Loveren name."
Michelangelo International Wine and Spirit Awards
The largest drinks competition on the African continent, Michelangelo is renowned for its judging process and panel. Its wine judges included sommeliers, producers, educators and influential journalists from South Africa as well as Europe, the Far East and the Americas.
Van Loveren's wines that excelled at the 2019 Michelangelo Awards, were:
- BEST MCC TROPHY - Christina MCC Brut NV, an elegant sparkling blend of Chardonnay and Pinot noir characterised by upfront lime and citrus flavours.
- DOUBLE GOLD - Van Loveren African Java Pinotage 2019, an oak-matured wine with an intense aroma of roasted coffee beans. The palate shows vibrant plum and ripe berry fruit, followed by a lingering smoke of mocha-java.
- DOUBLE GOLD - Van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc 2019, a hugely popular and aromatic wine with a typical grassy character. There are hints of melon and figs on the palate, which concludes in a lingering finish.
- GOLD - Van Loveren Daydream Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2019, a crisp, off-dry wine with fresh, floral flavours and a soft, fruity finish.
- GOLD - Christina Chardonnay 2019, a single vineyard wine that shows typical citrus and buttery aromas complimented by toasty oak derived from new French oak barrels used in its making.
- GOLD - Bayede! Prince Merlot 2019. Aromas of the wine recall ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry and pear with roasted spice and vanilla oak. On the palate, there's plenty of intensity and complexity.
These winning wines are available across a range of pricing. The Christina MCC Brut sells from R150/bottle; the Van Loveren Africa Java Pinotage, R71; Van Loveren Sauvignon Blanc, R60; Van Loveren Daydream Chardonnay, R60; Christina Chardonnay, R124; and, Bayede! Prince Merlot, R61.
Ultra Value Wine Challenge
Van Loveren also received glittering praise from the judges at the annual Ultra Value Wine Challenge, announced earlier this month. The winery's top performers were:
- DOUBLE GOLD - Five's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, a medium-bodied wine that shows rich plum and blackberry on the nose, followed by flavours of blackcurrant and dark plums with a soft, dark-chocolate finish.
- GOLD - Van Loveren Merlot 2018, a lightly oaked wine recalling strawberry and vanilla on the nose. Its palate is rich and fruity, and notable for balanced tannins that ensure easy drinking.
- GOLD - Five's Reserve Pinotage 2018, which is characterised by strawberry and red cherry aromas along with the flavour of red plum fruit, soft tannins and an elegant finish.
- GOLD - Van Loveren Neil's Pick Colombar 2019. The off-dry and fruity wine has an aromatic guava nose. It hails from a single vineyard that bears the name of viticulturist Neil Retief.
- GOLD - Van Loveren Cape Ruby NV is made with Touriga Nacional. It is an unwooded, ruby-style wine that shows fruitcake and liquorice flavours.
- GOLD - Five's Reserve Merlot Rosé 2019. The full-flavoured dry rosé has a fruit-driven nose and abundant notes of strawberries and ripe summer berries on the palate. There are subtle hints of violets and spice on the gentle, lingering finish.
- GOLD - Four Cousins Collection Merlot 2018, a lightly wooded wine showing gentle berry and vanilla toastiness on the nose with a typical varietal character of rich summer fruit.
Veritas Awards
At the Veritas wine and brandy awards, another of South Africa's premier competitions, Van Loveren was among the medal winners named at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Friday 11 October too. It received:
- DOUBLE GOLD for the Van Loveren Red Muscadel 2018 - a full-sweet, fortified wine with abundant raisin and muscat flavours and an opulent, lingering finish.
- SILVER OUTSTANDING for the Van Loveren Blue Velvet Pinot Noir 2018, notable for its bold fruit flavours of raspberries and cranberries, with earthy tones and cherry on the palate and finish.
The overall results across the three competitions saw Van Loveren win a total 19 medals at Veritas of which 9 were Silver; 14 medals at Ultra Value Wine Challenge of which seven were Silver; and, eight at Michelangelo of which two were Silver.
"We are also pleased for the attention the awards have cast on Zandvliet, a brand we acquired recently and whose rich tradition and values we share," says Philip. "Zandvliet has a long record of excellence and is an acknowledged pioneer of Shiraz. In terms of the agreement that came into force this year, the Zandvliet cellar team has joined Van Loveren while the vineyards continue to be managed and farmed by the current owners."
At the Michelangelo Awards, Zandvliet won Double Gold for its Hill of Enon Small Berry Pick 2017, an intense red-to-black wine with a delicate, layered nose of blueberries, liquorice and dark chocolate. On the lingering palate, there's the flavour of plums, cigar box and chocolate. Zandvliet also won Gold for its Muscat 2018.
Be sure to stay in touch with Van Loveren Family Vineyards for all the latest news. Follow on Facebook, Twitter @vanloverenwines, Pinterest and Instagram (van_loveren), or visit www.vanloveren.co.za.