The
competition, presented by Shiraz SA, secured international sponsorship from the
French cooperage company Tonnelerie Berthomieu Ermitage. Berthomieu,
represented in South Africa by Juvenal Cork SA, has been in stave production
for four generations and is currently the largest producer of French oak staves
with an annual production equivalent of 70 000 barrels.
It
is the second year that Shiraz SA presents the competition after Wine Magazine
discontinued their Shiraz Challenge a few years ago and this year the organizers
decided to include a category for Shiraz blends. The decision to incorporate Shiraz blends was
taken because of the enormous popularity these wines enjoy and also the vast number
of blends available. “The main objective of Shiraz SA is to promote the image
of South African Shiraz and it just made sense to enhance the variety’s
blending potential,” said Edmund Terblanche, chairman of Shiraz SA.
A
total of 191 wines were entered and evaluated over a period of 3 days by a
panel of 7 knowledgeable Shiraz judges. Renowned auditing company Deloitte
& Touche kept a watchful eye on the whole judging process. .
Dr
Andy Roediger, Cape Wine Master, acted as chairperson and convener of the
judging panel. He was assisted by Richard Rowe, Australian winemaker and
currently consulting winemaker and brand ambassador to KWV, Carl Schultz
(Hartenberg), Niels Verburg (Luddite), Francois Naudé (Rhebokskloof) and
Anthony de Jager (Fairview).
In
general the judges felt that it was a strong range of Shiraz and Shiraz blends
with the top wines showing finesse and concentration of flavor. And what must
certainly be music to the ears of Shiraz producers is the fact that the panel
considered a number of older wines to be brilliant.
Electricity
was in the air when the 32 finalists, members of the media, fellow producers
and other distinguished guests gathered to learn the names of the top-scoring
wines and their producers:
Shiraz Top 12 for 2014
Black Elephant
Vintners Amistad Syrah 2012
Boschkloof Louis
57 Syrah 2012
Boschkloof Syrah
2012
Cederberg Shiraz
2011
Fairview Beacon
Shiraz 2011
Hartenberg Shiraz
2010
Jordan The
Prospector Syrah 2012
KWV Abraham
Perold Insignis 2012
KWV The
Mentors Shiraz 2012
Oldenburg Syrah
2011
Rickety Bridge Shiraz
2011
Saronsberg Provenance
Shiraz 2012
Top 4 Shiraz blends for 2014:
Boschendal 1685
S & M 2012
Eikendal Charisma
2012
Guardian Peak Summit
2012
Rickety Bridge The
Foundation Stone 2012
It
is the second year in succession that Boschkloof and KWV walk off with two
trophies each in the Shiraz category. Rickety Bridge was also a double trophy
winner – one for their Shiraz and one for their Shiraz blend. First-time entrants
Black Elephant Vintners, Boschendal and Guardian Peak were most excited to find
themselves also amongst the winners.
Wine-of-the-Month
Club will have exclusive rights to the marketing and sales of mixed cases of
the winning wines. Winning wines will be able to display the eye-catching decal
specially designed for this purpose.
Two years ago Juvenal
SA came on board with sponsorship for the annual Shiraz Showcase and Techinical
Workshop. “With Tonnelerie Berthomieu as partner it was a natural step to
increase the sponsorship to incorporate the Shiraz SA Wine Challenge as well”
said CEO Johan Conradie. “We are grateful for the opportunity to get involved
with the Shiraz SA Wine Challenge and show our support for the local wine
industry” added Conradie
The
6th annual Shiraz Showcase, also sponsored by amongst others
Berthomieu, takes place on 1 August from 18:00-21:00. For the fourth year
running the Vineyard Hotel in Claremont will host the event in their
Summerhouse venue.
Tickets
at R120 per person can be bought via Webtickets or at the door. This includes a
stylish tasting glass, a brochure and a special array of snacks that compliment
Shiraz. To avoid disappointment, please pre-book as a limited number of tickets
are available.
Special accommodation
packages which include breakfast and a two course meal at the Square Restaurant
are offered by the hotel. This offer is valid only for guests attending the
Showcase and for more details kindly contact The Vineyard Hotel at hotel@vineyard.co.za or
021 657 4500.
For further details
contact Sandra Lotz on 082 924 7254 or send an e-mail to info@shirazsa.co.za
Twitter: @Shiraz_SA
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ShirazSouthAfrica
Caption
Front : Christo Hanse (Eikendal), Ulrich Hohns (KWV), Jolandie van der Westhuizen (Saronsberg), Tammy Turck-Nel (Cederberg), Sjaak Nelson (Jordan), Dewaldt Heyns (Saronsberg), Louwritz Louw (KWV).
Back : Reenen Borman (Boschkloof), Philip van Staden (Guardian Peak) , Patrick Ngamane (Hartenberg), Jacques Wentzel (Blank Elephant) , Alex Nel (Cederberg), Edmund Terblanche (Shiraz SA chairperson), Raymond Noppé (Olderburg), Johan Conradie (Berthomieu), Adele Dunbar (Fairview), Raymond Ndluvo (Black Elephant), Stephan Joubert (Boschendal), Wynand Grobler (Rickety Bridge)