The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles was held in Brussels this month.
Only 57 wineries from South Africa received medals at this international competition, of which two were awarded to Weltevrede Wine Estate.
Entries were judged by sixty international judges from, among other countries, France, Belgium, Spain and Canada.
Weltevrede Oude Weltevrede Chardonnay 2002 and Weltevrede Place of Rocks 2002 received silver awards, after both also received silver in the Chardonnay du Monde in Burgundy in April.
Unfortunately, the last few cases of the Weltevrede Place of Rocks 2002 have just been exported to Belgium. Please contact ISPC in Breda or Gent to get hold of a few cases. The 2003 vintage will be available on the Estate this month.
Philip Jonker's Chardonnay also scored highest in a tasting of 32 South African wooded Chardonnays (flagship category) at the Wine of the Month Club in 2004.
An exciting development at Weltevrede this past year, was the bottling of three terroir specific Chardonnays. The Oude Weltevreden Chardonnay is from limestone and the most beautiful red Karoo soil. Limestone is known across the world to produce the best Chardonnays as well as wonderfully refreshing Sauvignon Blancs.
On the hills at Weltevrede, the Weltevrede Place of Rocks Chardonnay is planted on shale soil. Subtle and elegant flavours have made this wine a Chardonnay which breaks the mold. The Weltevrede Place of Rocks Chardonnay received silver at the International Wine Challenge in London (2003).
Thirdly, the Weltevrede River's Edge Chardonnay is Weltevrede's unoaked Chardonnay. Grown on the river rocks and alluvial soil the fresh upfront flavours of this wine has been awarded gold at the Young Wine Show, silver at the International Michelangelo Challenge as well as the Veritas Awards.
Continuing on his winning-streak this year, Philip also won the Amorin/WINE magazine Cap Classique Challenge, for his bottle fermented sparkling wine made of 100% Chardonnay: the Weltevrede Philip Jonker Brut 1999.
Last year Philip released his maiden vintage Weltevrede Poet's Prayer Chardonnay (2001). The best Chardonnay barrel was aged separately for 20 months in French oak, a mere 300 bottles.
The 2004 John Platter Wine Guide Awarded the Poet's Prayer four stars and described it as: 'Impressive, emphatic 2001, green glints lead into heady aromas of tropical marmalade, huge opulent palate (= 15% alc) - much richer than Oude Weltevreden version, oak (20 months) well controlled and supportive: a bold statement, not for the faint hearted. Part native yeast fermentation, only 25 cases.' The 2002 will be released in October this year.
Issued by: Weltevrede Wine Estate
Contact: Huibre Hoff, Marketing Manager
Tel: +27 (0) 21 23 616 2141
Email: huibre@weltevrede.com
Website: www.weltevrede.com