The Trophy Wine Show (TWS) has been a feature of the Cape wine industry for almost 25 years. In that time, it has assembled panels comprising the most influential international and local judges and made discoveries which have changed the profile of the country’s wine offering. Its judging methodology, which has eliminated most of the chance element which comes with wine assessment, has been copied by other wine producing countries. It is the one blind tasting competition which guarantees producers bulletproof results and credible, useful feedback. The Trophy Spirits Show, launched in 2019, has rendered the same service to spirits producers from around the world.
Since 2022 Investec has been the headline sponsor of the competition. A leading international bank and wealth manager, Investec offers international banking, investments, and wealth management services in two principal markets, South Africa and the UK, as well as certain other countries. Access to Investec’s clients has seen millions of Rands of post-results sales of the show’s winning wines and spirits supplied to consumers through the competition’s designated fulfilment partner, Port2Port.
The 2025 TWS judging panel comprises international experts Tom Carson (Australia), Michel Bettane (France) and Tamlyn Currin (UK) as well as seasoned TWS judges Heidi Duminy CWM, Malu Lambert, JD Pretorius, James Pietersen, Mandla Patson Mathonsi, Eben February and Christian Eedes.
The Trophy Spirits Show panellists are Dr Mare-Loe Prinsloo, Dr Winnie Bowman CWM, Carla Weightman, whisky experts Andy Watts, Dave Gunns, Sean Gunns and Jason McEvoy, cocktail maven Kurt Schlechter and white spirit guru Kresan Naidu, recently returned from Sweden.
Judging takes place from 12–16 May at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl. To enter, visit the respective websites (or click the link below) for the entry forms.
Deadline for submission of entries is Friday, 4 April.