The award function was held on 23 May at Noop Restaurant in Paarl.
The platinum award went to their Badsberg Red Muscadel 2017, while their 2008 and 2009 Muscadel won gold - the 2008 having also won gold at the 2009 awards.
"We are very proud of our flagship Red Muscadel. We were honoured with a platinum award in 2014 for our Badsberg Red Muscadel 2013; to win this award again is a great privilege," says Willie Burger, cellar master at Badsberg Wine Cellar. "With both our older and newer vintages performing this well, we are assured of an excellent platform to work from in the future."
Burger continues to praise his winemakers, Henri Swiegers, Jaco Booysen and Stian Victor as well as their grape producer, Wysersdrif Farms for their dedication to hard work.
Robertson Wine Valley
Robertson's Mont Blois Wine Estate is the only other cellar to be honoured with a platinum award this year. The wine estate has been in the Bruwer family for six generations and their winning wine, Mont Blois Pump House White Muscadel 2016 is made from grapes cultivated from vineyards that are 26 years old and only 330 cases were produced.
The bottles are packed in an elegant wooden box with the Bruwer coat of arms printed in gold - a beautiful reflection of South African muskadel.
Three other wines from the Robertson Wine Valley won gold:
Bon Courage Estate, a regular performer at the SA Muskadel Awards won two gold awards for their Red Muscadel 2018 and White Muscadel 2018. Montagu Wine & Spirits also won gold for their White Muscadel (no vintage).
Breedekloof Valley
The Breedekloof Valley upheld its reputation as famed Muscadel country and collected five gold medals:
Du Toitskloof Wine Cellar added to their performances over the past four years with two gold medals for their Red Muscadel 2016 and Hanepoot Jerepigo 2014.
Slanghoek Wine Cellar walked away with no less than three gold medals for their Red Muscadel 2017, Red Muscadel 2018 and Hanepoot 2017.
Worcester Wine & Olive Route
De Wet Cellar from the Worcester Wine & Olive Route won gold for their White Muscadel 2017.
Orange River Wine Route
A firm favourite amongst muscadel lovers is the sweeter wines from the Northern Cape - Orange River Cellars won two gold medals for their White Muscadel 2017 and Hanepoot 2017.
Judging process
Tasted blind, the wines are judged and scored according to a tried and tested points system. The uniqueness of the packaging also contributes to the final points tally and often means the difference between a gold or platinum award. Consumers can identify winning Muscats by the gold or platinum Muskadel SA stickers on the bottle.
This year’s five judges convened under Dave Biggs (wine writer and founder member of the Wine-of-the-month Club) were Cerina van Niekerk (winemaker at Klawer Wine Cellar), Altus le Roux (former MD and Cellar Master at Boland Cellar for 24 years, currently Director at Coastal Wine Exports), Jaco Potgieter (DGB Oenologist), Nerina Cloete (winemaker at Blaauwklippen).
From the Muskadel SA office
"As is often reported in the media, the wine industry as well as the rest of the agricultural industry is suffering from severe drought at the moment - we are very happy with muscadel because it is one of the first grape varieties to ripen, the heat helps the grapes build up a good concentration of sugar,”says Henri Swiegers, chairman of Muskadel SA.
"Harvest numbers are down, but the quality is high and we were very pleased with the quality entries we received," Swiegers said.
From the sponsor
"It has been a privilege to have been involved in the Muscadel Association for 15 years. The producers once again made excellent wines in yet another challenging vintage. We wish the cellars success in 2019,”says Jaco Cockrell, sales manager of Enartis SA.
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For more information contact Henri Swiegers at 082 829 6010 or henri@badsberg.co.za