“We are confident that we will be able to return to the competition’s leading advantage again in 2021, namely it’s international judging panels,” says founder and organiser of the awards, Lorraine Immelman.
“To date we have secured 23 judges from 15 countries,all of which are professional wine and spirits tasters who regularly participate in other global competitions such as Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, IWSC, Vinitaly and Mundus Vini.
“The 2021 panel will include French Master sommelier, Eric Zwiebel, specialist spirits judges Bernad Dueñas from Spain, gin and rum specialist René van Hoven from the Netherlands, German professional spirits taster, Bernard Schäfer and UK spirits retail specialist and professional judge, Ivan Dixon.”
This year Michelangelo is also honoured to secure the palate of Cape Wine Academy new principal, Heidi Duminy CWM for our Cap Classique and Champagne panel.
It is no secret that the past year has been more than challenging for the South African wine and spirits industries. “With these internationally acknowledged awards Michelangelo strives to add valuable marketing support for our winning producers, which they now need more than ever” says Lorraine. All entries are judged blind according to the guidelines of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. This includes awarding only one third of total entries and using the international 100-point judging system.
On-line entries open on 1 June. Please visit michelangeloawards.com for more information.