According to the organisers of the South African National Wine Show Association (SANW), the category for Red Cultivar Blends attracted most entries (216) - of which 113 are wooded and 103 unwooded - followed by Shiraz (wooded) with 101 entries.
Young wines from all the corners of the winelands - Stellenbosch, Paarl, Robertson, Klein Karoo, Olifants River, Oranje Vaal, Worcester and Swartland - are contending for 17 SA championship trophies.
Champions will be crowned in the following categories: Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other White Cultivar, Dry White Blend, Sweetish White, Noble Late Harvest, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivar, Dry Red Blend, Port, Dessert Wine and Muscadel.
The General Smuts Trophy, for the young wine that takes top honours as overall SA champion, and the Pietman Hugo Trophy, for the highest score for five best entries, are also at stake.
Fifteen specialist panels, each consisting of seven judges drawn from winemakers or other wine experts with a formal qualification and specialist knowledge of a specific wine style, will adjudicate the young wines.
The SANW will announce this year's finest young wines during a gala dinner - sponsored by Agri-Expo - in the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday 28 August.
The regional young wine shows give wine lovers the opportunity to sample each region's top-scoring wines in Worcester (17 August), Robertson (18 August), Swartland (19 August), Paarl (20 August), Olifants River (20 August), Klein Karoo (21 August), Stellenbosch (2 September) and Oranje Vaal (10 September).
For further information, contact Elsabé Ferreira at the SANW
Tel: (021) 807 3104
Email: ferreira@vinpro.co.za
Issued by Marlene Truter Communications
Tel: (021) 882 8627
Email: info@marlenetruter.co.za
On behalf of South African National Wine Show Association (SANW)