Michelangelo International Wine Awards 2001
Monday, 13 August, 2001
Sue van Wyk
Fifth annual awards
The 5th annual Michelangelo International Wine Awards were announced at a gala evening in Sandton, Johannesburg on 4th August 2001. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the announcement of the “Wine of the Competition” award. The honours went to Tulbagh’s Rijk’s Private Cellar’s Pinotage 2000 – after narrowly defeating the much-acclaimed Boland Winery’s Shiraz 1998 in the final taste-off. This feat enabled Rijk’s winemaker Charl du Plessis to walk away with, not only a splendid silver trophy, but also two business class air tickets to Europe donated by Swissair.
In addition, Rijk’s scooped a Double Gold for their Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Gold for the Shiraz 2000 and a Silver award for the Chardonnay 20001. Boland Winery excelled with 2 Double Gold (Shiraz 1998, Cabernet Sauvignon 1998), 1Gold (Pinotage 1999) and one silver award (Century Noble Late Harvest 1998). A further eight wines were each rewarded with a Double Gold Award: Avontuur Pinotage 1999, Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Delaire Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 1999, Delheim Vera Cruz Shiraz 1999, Fairview Primo Pinotage 2000, Kleine Zalze Sauvignon Blanc 2001, Slanghoek Noble Late Harvest 1999 and Vergelegen Chardonnay Reserve 1999. In addition to the Double Gold Awards, a further 48 Gold and 116 Silver Awards were announced.
The well-known Boschendal Estate received the highest number of awards, namely 1 Double Gold, 2 Gold and 7 Silver, followed by Vergelegen with nine awards (1 Double Gold, 3 Gold and 5 Silver). Chris Kelly was delighted to be able to take home 5 Gold Awards for Stellenbosch Vineyards’ red wine entries. A number of first-time entrants were also amongst the medal winners, namely Nederburg (1 Gold, 3 Silver), Devon Hill (2 Gold, 1 Silver), Eikendal (1 Gold, 1 Silver) and Bartho Eksteen, Mischa Estate and Uiterwyk Estate with one Silver award each. It should be noted that according to the rules of the competition, a maximum of 30% of the top scoring wines are eligible to receive medals.
Now in its fifth year, the competition has grown in stature to become one of South Africa’s most prestigious wine competitions. As far as is known, the Michelangelo International Wine Awards is the only competition in the world in which the local wines are adjudicated by truly international wine judges. This year’s panels were again presided over by Cape Wine Master Sue van Wyk.
Overall South Africa’s red wines impressed the judges - Pinotage and Shiraz wines came in fro high praise although the Sauvignon Blancs were also highly rated, especially by the New Zealand judge, Brent Marris of Wither Hills Winery. It is to be noted that for the first time in the history of the competition sparkling wines were given an award - a silver to JC Le Roux Pinot Noir Rose 1990 as well as to Boschendal Brut.
A record number of 577 entries was received for this year’s competition. This reflects an increase of over 36% on the number of entries (422) received in 2000.
Panel of judges:
Elie Maamari (Lebanon)
Frank Jacobs (The Netherlands)
Ghislain LaFlamme (Canada)
Constantine Stergides (Greece)
Dominique Rouvinez (Switzerland)
Dr. Franco Giacosa (Italy)
Brent Marris (New Zealand)
Helene Piot (France)
Ralf Anselmann (Germany)
Maria Antonia Fernandez-Daza (Spain)
Dr. Mitja Kocjancic (Slovenia)
Pekka Koiranen (Finland)
Gerald Boyd (United States)
Sue van Wyk CWM (South Africa)