Seventh Michelangelo International Wine Awards kicks off
Monday, 10 June, 2002
Sue van Wyk
From 16-20 September 2002 in Sandton, Johannesburg
The judging for the prestigious annual wine competition, the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, will be taking place from 16-20 September 2002 in Sandton, Johannesburg. Although this is a month later than in the past years (due to the UN World Summit Conference that will have Johannesburg stretched to capacity during late August and early September) producers have expressed their delight as this affords them more time to get their recent vintages bottled and show ready.
Under the direction of Cape Wine Master Sue van Wyk, one of South Africa’s most experienced wine show judges, the judges have once again been selected for their extensive international tasting experience from countries in Europe and The New World. They include Master of Wine Caroline Gilbey from the UK; Swiss wine author and journalist Pierre Thomas; one of The Netherland’s top sommeliers Peter Bruins; Dominique Foulon past technical director of the Champagne House Moet & Chandon and Irish wine writer Roz Crowley.
The judges will use the 100-point system of scoring as recommended by the OIV and Union of Oenologues and they will produce a consensus-driven result. Wines scoring 96 and over win grand gold medals, 89 to 95 gold medals and 84 to 89 silver medals. The top wines i.e. the grand gold medal winners, will be eligible to go through to the trophy judging where all the judges will re-assess those wines to award the best wine of the competition.
Currently in it’s seventh year, the competition is jointly sponsored by the Michelangelo Hotel and self-adhesive film and paper producing company, Raflatac. As every year, the event is organized by Lorraine Immelman-Steyn of Lorman Communications cc, with chairman of the judging panels being international wine judge Sue van Wyk who is also a Veritas judge (convenor of the Shiraz panel) and regular WINE magazine panel judge.
The closing date for entries is Friday 6 September 2002. (Contact: Lorraine on 082 556 8679). A minimum of 25 cases (12 x 750ml or equivalent) must be held in stock by the producer at the time of the announcement of the results. Full details and entry forms can be obtained from the website: www.michelangelo-int-wine-awards.co.za.
The awards dinner will be held on Saturday 21 September 2002.
Following the success of last year’s public tasting of the winning wines, this year’s tasting will be held on Wednesday, 2 October in the Michelangelo Hotel. In both cases please contact the organizing committee members: Linda Sole on 083 656 3724 or Diana Martins on 083 463 1161.
Issued by: Sue Van Wyk
Email: suziq@iafrica.com