Top honours this year went to Benguela Cove’s Catalina Semillon 2019, which was awarded the Multi-Color Corporation Grand Prix Trophy for the highest scoring product entered. The wine achieved a score of 98,75 points out of a possible 100. Benguela Cove was also awarded the Airlink Pinot Noir Trophy for their Benguela Cove Wine Estate Vinography Pinot Noir 2019.
Kleine Zalze took both the Vinlog/Kuehne & Nagel Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc trophies for their Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2020 and Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020. In addition the Stellenbosch estate was named 2021 Top Producer, based on it overall performance in this year’s competition.
This award continues Kleine Zalze’s 2021 winning streak, having also been named Best South African Producer at the 2021 Mundus Vini International Wine Awards Spring Tasting as well as Platter’s 2021 Top Performing Winery of The Year.
The second Grand Prix Trophy awarded by Multi-Color Corporation, went to Meerhof for their outstanding Dessert Wine, Meerhof Mooistrooi Straw Wine 2021. A platinum medal also went to Meerhof for their Mooistrooi Straw Wine 2020.
The African Cellar Suppliers Trophy for the highest scoring MCC was awarded to Graham Beck for their Cuvéé Clive Cap Classique 2017.
Special Awards
Special Awards for the Best Organic Wine went to Stellar Winery for their Heaven on Earth Organic Muscat d’Alexandrie; The Grape Grinder whose Bag-in-Box 3l Fynbos Chenin Blanc 2021 was awarded the Most Innovative Packaging Award and The Best Old Vines Wine in Show for Bellingham Wines’ The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019.
In high spirits
In the spirits category Oude Molen’s XO Cape Brandy impressed the judges enough to secure both the Multi-Color Corporation Spirits Grand Prix Trophy for the highest scoring spirits entry and the Mantis Brandy Trophy for the top scoring brandy.
Other spirits which the judges considered outstanding include Musgrave Crafted Spirits whose Copper Black Honey Brandy was worthy of this year’s Trophy for the Most innovative Product and Benedict’s Blueberry and Elderflower Handcrafted Premium Gin was awarded the Airlink Gin Trophy.
Keeping up with trends
In 2020 Michelangelo opened entries for a number of new lifestyle products, including Ready to Drink (RTD) products, low-alcohol and alcohol free wine and spirits and innovative packaging. This growing category drew an increased number of entries this year, resulting in Special Awards and trophies for Ben Wren Wines, Kumara Craft Company, Boland Cellar, KolleGin.
High regard for the status of the Michelangelo brand
Michelangelo founder and organiser, Lorraine Immelman was delighted with the high number of entries received this year, saying that it was remarkable how producers supported the Michelangelo in spite of the adverse challenges they experienced on so many levels. “It is clear that producers, marketers and retailers highly regard the status of the brand and appreciate the value which a Michelangelo award brings to their wines and spirits.”
Michelangelo’s Technical director, Dr Winnie Bowman, commented that the 2021 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards produced some very good and exciting results from a quality perspective. In addition the high number of newcomers, the consistency of performances from regular entrants and an increase in the number of exciting innovative products seen this year, made for a very interesting 2021 competition. “In the spirits categories, there was a lot of out-the-box thinking with truly South African products and eye-catching packaging. It was heart-warming to see the support from producers for this competition, especially in these difficult times,” she said.
“Kleine Zalze has established themselves a big contender in the wine industry over many platforms and the quality and consistency has improved year by year - congratulations on being the Top Producer in 2021! Other producers that also need a special mention for their performance is Benguela Cove, La Belle Rebelle (also in spirits), Flagstone, Boplaas Family Vineyards Select Beverage Company, Distell and KWV. Congratulations to all the winners!” concluded Winnie.
High entries from around the globe
A total of 1890 wines and spirits were entered this year, including entries from various countries in Eastern Europe as well as Australia, Switzerland, Kenya, Zambia, Namibia and the UK. Our judges gave a total of 828 awards, of which 21 are trophies, 12 Special Awards and 16 Platinum medals. In addition 118 Double Gold medals have been awarded to deserving wines and spirits.
The highest number of single varietal entries, namely 160, were received in the Shiraz class. This was followed by 153 Sauvignon Blanc entries in the category for white wines. In addition 144 Cabernet Sauvignon entries, 142 Chenin Blanc, 100 Pinotage, 83 sparkling wines and 86 Bordeaux Blends were received. In the spirits category 104 gins and 23 rums were entered.
Please keep an eye on all Michelangelo International Wine & Spirit Awards Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest updates.