If you are serious about Sauvignon Blanc, this is your chance to measure your wine against around 1 000 other Sauvignon Blanc wines around the word – and for the first time ever the competition will take place on home soil in 2023.
South Africa plays host
Not only Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa but also the country itself will be showcased through this prestigious competition. “By touring to different countries, visibility is enhanced both for the competition and medal-winning wines,” says Quentin Havaux, Director of Concours Mondial du Sauvignon.
“The choice of host country does not occur on a random basis, as the organisers we target growth markets, both for production and the consumption of wine,” explains Havaux. “After 14 years in Europe, South Africa as first-choice host region was obvious – thanks to Sauvignon Blanc South Africa, as there is a clear dynamic in improving the production of Sauvignon Blanc in the country."
A golden chance for producers
"More South African producers should seize this opportunity on home soil and enter their wines," says RJ Botha, Chairman of Sauvignon Blanc SA. “The Concours Mondial du Sauvignon is a valuable and indispensable tool for producers for various reasons, but most of all it offers huge international exposure, it can be used as an international promotional and sales tool, it gives a trusted seal of approval and presents a reliable buying cue for the consumer.”
Gold and silver medals are awarded to the best competing entries, as well as special trophies to entries achieving highest scores in the categories of dry unoaked Sauvignon, dry oak-aged Sauvignon, unoaked Sauvignon-based blends (at least 51% Sauvignon), and oak-aged Sauvignon-based blends (at least 51% Sauvignon).
The Concours Mondial du Sauvignon tasting panel is a trade-only panel comprising hand-picked specialists from around the world, including buyers, wine writers and specialist critics. Around twenty nationalities are represented in the judging panel thereby guaranteeing the outstanding diversity that sets the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon apart from any other wine competition around the globe.
“In addition to the customary scoring system out of 100, each wine this year will also receive a quality appraisal based on tasting comments by our panel of international experts,” says Havaux. “In this way, we provide producers of Sauvignon Blanc with greater transparency and new marketing tools to promote their wines.”
The judging panel of the 11th Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in 2020 in Blois, Touraine, in the Loire Valley, France.
Five-day visit to South Africa
The 2023 Concours Mondial du Sauvignon will take place from Monday 13 March to Friday 17 March in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. A total of 35 international judges will be hosted in Franschhoek for five days with tasting sessions over three days, as well as excursions to Sauvignon Blanc areas such as Durbanville and Constantia Wine Valley.
The competition is hosted by the cultivar association Sauvignon Blanc South Africa in partnership with national, as well as international partners. Platinum partners are the National Convention Bureau, WESGRO, Vinventions and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and bronze partners are Boutes, Tonnellerie Garonnaise, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Enartis, Beveratech, FNB, Porex and Hillebrand GORI.
“As a platinum partner and company invested in wine, we highly value our customers, our people, and our business partners,” says Johan Conradie from Vinventions. “Together with you, we want to write a story of success. A story that connects all of us across the globe, a story that inspires and exceeds our customers' expectations. Together with Concours Mondial du Sauvignon we want to foster our relationship with Sauvignon Blanc and be part of that success story in helping these wines to succeed in the marketplace.”
Deadline for entries is Friday 17 February 2023 and South African samples must be delivered to Kleine Zalze Vineyards by Tuesday 21 February 2023.
Click HERE to register now!
The results will be announced on Monday 20 March 2023 at Prowein in Düsseldorf, Germany.
For more information about membership, or to subscribe to the Sauvignon Blanc SA newsletter, visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or call 021 975 4440.
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