Fifty producers who excelled at last year’s Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards will present around 200 products for tasting and for sale, including a range of award-winning liqueurs, brandy, craft gins and outstanding wines. The two day event, held in three sessions of informative and delicious wine- and spirits tastings, is expected to attract thousands of adventurous wine- and spirits lovers who now have the chance to taste a number of exceptional products judged by international professionals.
Lorraine Immelman, CEO of the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards, says the public tastings represent a new chapter for the Michelangelo – South Africa’s only truly international drinks competition. “With the interest in Michelangelo growing each year and the unique addition of craft spirits and liqueurs to the line-up, we decided to take the entries and the producers to the public and let consumers see and taste what it is that makes Michelangelo so unique. The wines and spirits on show represents one of the most tantalising wine line-ups wine-lovers could wish for!”
Unique offerings:
- One of the wines to look forward to is the 2017 Grand Prix winner, Lisha Nelson’s Cabernet Franc 2014 from the Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate in Paarl. Named the best wine out of 1632 entries, the international judges awarded this wine 99 out of 100 points!
- Another special offering will be not one, but two Organic Trophy winning wines from Lazanou Organic Vineyards! Owner and winemaker, Josef Lazarus brings to the show 2017 Organic Trophy winner, a 2017 Chenin Blanc/Chardonnay/Viognier blend, and the 2015 Michelangelo Organic Trophy winner, his Syrah Mouvedre 2013 Reserve.
- With Chenin Blanc being touted as South Africa’s “go-to” wine, the Double Gold winning Niel Joubert Chenin Blanc 2017, also from Paarl, will be available for tasting. Winemaker Ernie Leicht will also present his Platinum-winning Niel Joubert Malbec The Proprietor 2014 as well as a selection of other Double Gold and Gold medal winning wines from the 2017 awards.
- Also on show is one of South Africa’s most historic estates, namely Lanzerac . This eponymous Stellenbosch wine estate will be bringing its Platinum-winning Lanzerac Premium Syrah 2015 to Montecasino. Chardonnay-lovers will also be able to experience the Lanzerac Premium Chardonnay 2016, which took a Double Gold at the 2017 Michelangelo.
- A special treat is the impressive line-up of craft gins, liqueurs and brandies – with the Michelangelo being the only competition in South Africa which accepts spirits for judging, this is a unique opportunity for visitors to come ad taste – among others – the following award-winning spirits:
- Floral, Citrus and Spice gins from The Ginologist (Craft Link)
- Posboom Distillers’ new Aniseed Cream Liqueur and his award winning Potshop Caramel Orange and Caramel Coffee liqueurs
- Angel Heart Liqueurs’ trophy-winning Westcliff Joburg Dry Gin, as well as a selection of their other award-winning gins and liqueurs
“The uniqueness of Michelangelo lies in that our judging panels are made up of international wine experts who bring a different skills-set to judging entries into the competition. In 2017 we had 28 judges from 22 countries, making this South Africa’s only true international wine showcase.
“With Tsogo Sun being a headline sponsor of the competition, we are exceptionally privileged to be able to host the first ever Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards Winners Show at this hospitality group’s popular Montecasino location. Visitors can look forward to tasting a diverse range of wines and spirits, all underscored by the Michelangelo stamp of excellence,” says Lorraine.
Friday the 6th of April sees one tasting session being held from 17:00 to 22:00, with two sessions on Saturday 7 April at 13:00 and 18:00 respectively.
Tickets are R150 per session. Bookings at Computicket.