Gold medals went to Juliette Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (Old Road Wine Co.), Douglas Green Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Boschendal 1685 Sauvignon Blanc 2019 and Franschhoek Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019.
According to Jacques Roux, marketing director for DGB’s wine division, this achievement at Concours Mondial du Sauvignon is made more remarkable by the fact that DGB's wines won one-third of all the Gold medals awarded to South African Sauvignon Blancs during the competition.
"This is tremendous recognition for the wine brands within DGB," says Roux. "Although each of our brands produces wines representing site-specific authenticity and stylistic individuality, DGB’s commitment to premium quality is the primary ethos driving the wine division.”
Held this year in Touraine in the Loire Valley of France, the 11th rendition of Concours Sauvignon attracted 1 100 wines entered from 24 countries, with a total of 134 wines being awarded a gold medal.
The panel of judges included leading winemakers, critics, sommeliers and academics from around the world, making Concours Mondial du Sauvignon the leading competition of its kind internationally.
Joubert says it is no coincidence that all the winning wines are from the 2019 vintage.“It was a great vintage with no heatwaves in the critical harvesting period,”he says. "The Cape winelands were still experiencing the effects of four years of drought, placing stress on the vines. But the harvest period was preceded by cooler weather which created vibrant and expressive flavours in Sauvignon Blanc. Myself and my winemakers from the various DGB brands predicted a good vintage for Sauvignon Blanc, and this has been echoed by the results at Concours Mondial. But at the end of the day, the focus of the various winemakers responsible for these wines ensured each wine expresses the values, integrity and quality of the brands under which they are bottled.”
Roux says Sauvignon Blanc is one of the leading varieties in DGB’s wine offering. “Year-after-year, Sauvignon Blanc remains the most popular white wine among the local consumer as well as being within the top three most-sold white wine in international markets,” says Roux. “The commercial success of the variety inspires the DGB brands to ensure quality is kept at the highest levels, resulting in brands offering wines for which consumers are willing to pay a premium. Premium begins with quality and demand, and I think our wines have now got all three right.
"Douglas Green Snr, the patriarch of our famous wine brand, stated that it was his mission to ensure each household has a bottle of Douglas Green wine on their dining-table each night. This is the ethos of all DGB's wine brands. Our market-reach, together with superb wines, has made this possible."
