In the Muscadel SA Competition, one of South Africa's most influential fortified wine competitions, Orange River Cellars' Red Muscadel 2013 was awarded one of only two Platinum Awards made at the event, which was held last week.
This
achievement follows hot on the achievements in last year’s Muscadel SA
Competition where the cellar's 2013 White Muscadel was awarded a gold medal.
According
to Koos Visser, Orange River Cellars Marketing Manager, a Platinum Award at
Muscadel SA represents the pinnacle of achievements on the South African fortified
wine scene.
“While
it is an immense honour to win the Platinum Award, it is even bigger privilege
to have the opportunity to represent our region on such a grand stage, and to
see our wines receiving recognition alongside South Africa's leading wine
brands,” he said. “We are doubly pleased as this was the first time Orange River
Cellars entered the Muscadel SA Competition under our new packaging. With
packaging taken into consideration for Platinum status, it is good to know the
rebranded look found favour among the judges.”
But what
makes Orange River Cellars' Muscadel wines rank among the best in the world?
According
to Henning Burger, Manager of Viticultural Services at Orange River Cellars,
the geographic conditions of the vineyards are perfectly suited to yield grapes
of outstanding quality.
“The
Muscat de Frontignan vineyards that our white and red Muscadels originate from,
enjoy the best living conditions imaginable,” says Burger. “They are planted in
deep alluvial soils that are rich in clay. Combined with the long ripening
period filled with lots of sunny days, this ensures grapes with deep and
intense muscat flavours. We harvest the grapes between 26º and 30º Balling when
they are full of flavour concentration, which gives our winemakers the perfect
fruit to work with.”
“I
often joke with the winemakers by telling them that they have no excuse not to
make winning wines from this calibre of grapes!”
According
to Visser, Orange River Cellars is in the favourable position of making
Muscadel wines that also have a loyal following among consumers.
“The
Muscadel market has declined in the past few decades, but our brand is standing
firm among Muscadel lovers,” says Visser. “It is good for us and for our
region, but more importantly, good for South Africa and for Muscadel wines that
are such a wonderful part of our industry.”