Oh là là: Orange River Cellars now among top 10 Muscat wines in the world

Friday, 12 July, 2013
Orange River Cellars
A white muscadel from Orange River Cellars has just been chosen as one of the top ten Muscat wines in the world.
The Orange River Cellars White Muscadel 2012 achieved this accolade at the Muscats du Monde, the most prestigious international competition for Muscat wines which is held annually in France. Apart from its prized position in the top ten, Orange River Cellars' White Muscadel was one of only two South African wines to be awarded a gold medal at this year's competition, which attracted 230 entries from 24 countries.

This international recognition follows hot on the heels of Orange River Cellars' stellar performance at the recent Muscadel SA awards, where the cellar's Red Muscadel achieved top overall honours. The White Muscadel 2012 was also awarded a gold medal at this event.

According to Koos Visser, marketing manager of Orange River Cellars, it is truly encouraging to see the spotlight of an international stage fall upon one of the world's most remote wine regions.

"We are based in the Northern Cape region surrounding Upington, which is approximately 900km from the Cape winelands, and obviously much further from the top performing producers at the French wine awards," says Visser. "Therefore it is an exceptionally big honour for Orange River Wines to be rated alongside the top muscat wines of France, Spain, Portugal and other leading wine countries, and to receive international recognition."

The winning White Muscadel 2012 is a blend of different wines from four of Orange River Cellars' five cellars – Upington, Keimoes, Kakamas and Groblershoop – and is currently available in the retail market.

"This is our standard White Muscadel which is loved by the public and Muscadel enthusiasts alike, and clearly the international judges of Muscats du Monde agree with them," says Visser. "Orange River Cellars is honoured to say that the White Muscadel we offer the local market is also rated as one of the ten best Muscat wines in the world."

The region's vineyards are irrigated by the Orange River and enjoy a mild, sunny climate with unpolluted air. The Muscat de Frontignan vineyards are usually planted in clay soils, which contribute to the body and aromatic components of the wine.

"Although Orange River Cellars has also been focussing on the production of natural table wines like Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Merlot, Tanat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Chardonnay in recent times, we remain devoted to making premium fortified wines given our climate which ensures vibrant fruit flavours," says Visser.

"Our White Muscadel is like a taste of sunshine, with the pure, juicy sweetness of our grapes, and without any wood tannins. For generations of South Africans passing through Upington on their way to the hunting grounds of the Kalahari, this wine has become synonymous with their travels. It will therefore be good news to those hunters to know that the wine they have acquired a fine taste for throughout the years, is held in such high esteem internationally."