Winemakers acknowledge KWV supremacy at Diamond Awards

Friday, 19 October, 2012
KWV
Having achieved supreme rankings in a host of prominent local and international wine competitions so far this year, KWV wines this week received a significant thumbs-up from South African winemakers too.
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.
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