A total of five KWV
wines were awarded Diamond status in the annual Winemaker’s Choice Awards, held
in Stellenbosch.
The competition is the
only award show judged exclusively by winemakers, who assess wines on technical
excellence as well as their overall impression.
Significantly, it was
KWV The Mentors wines that again garnered most attention, taking three of the
sought-after titles. As one of the most awarded ranges in South Africa’s recent
winemaking history, The Mentors have reinforced KWV’s strength as a leading producer
of premium and ultra-premium wines.
The awards highlight
the breadth and depth of quality across The Mentors wines, says KWV chief
winemaker Richard Rowe. “The accolades
span varieties and regions, which is the fundamental essence of the Mentors
range - to showcase the best possible wines that are most stylistic and
concentrated from various regions,” he said.
Also contributing to
KWV’s success at the winner’s podium was the non-vintage port-style KWV Classic
Tawny, which is another of the country’s most-awarded wines.
The Tributum a 2010
Cape blend is another highlight for the KWV winemaking team. Says KWV winemaker Johann Fourie: “The soon-to-be released Perold Tribitum,
pays tribute to Abraham Perold, the South African wine pioneer responsible for
Pinotage. This wine represents the pinnacle of winemaking excellence at KWV,
and we are proud to be releasing this wine which shows so much finesse,
elegance and concentration.”
The KWV Perold Tributum
2010 was made in the classic style from special grapes that were vinified in
optimal conditions and matured in French and American oak barrels. The result
is a gentle wine showcasing the best of Pinotage, with soft tannin structure
and many layers of fruit and spice aromas.
The full list of KWV
2012 Diamond award winners is:
In the
wooded white wines category, KWV The Mentors 2011 Chardonnay;
In the
Bordeaux blend category, KWV The Mentors 2010 Orchestra;
In the
Shiraz-based blends category, KWV The Mentors 2010 Canvas;
In the
Cape blend category, KWV The Perold Tributum 2010; and,
In the
Port category, KWV Classic Tawny N/V.
The wines can be
identified on store shelves by the Diamond award sticker that they are now
entitled to carry following their performance. They are available at leading retailers
across the country.
Caption:
The quality of KWV wines was again
re-enforced this week when the company collected five Diamond accolades,
including three for The Mentors range, at the annual Winemaker’s Choice Awards.
KWV winemaker Johann Fourie, was particularly proud that
the soon-to-be released Perold Tribitum 2010 was among them. The wine pays
tribute to Abraham Perold, the South African wine pioneer responsible for
Pinotage and represents the pinnacle of winemaking excellence at KWV, he said.