The winners of one of South Africa’s most prestigious wine awards, The Trophy Wine Show sponsored by Investec, were announced last week, with various local cellars winning big time.
For the first time since the covid travel ban it has again become possible to have international wine judges join local palates at the tasting benches.
The trophy for the show’s best producer was awarded this year to Spier Wine Farm.
This is the second time that Spier has taken home the coveted Most Successful Producer overall award.
The Investec Trophy for the Best Red Wine was won by Glen Carlou for the cellar’s 2019 red blend, which also won the Riedel Trophy for the best Bordeaux Blend and the inaugural Vinolok Trophy for the best Premium wine.
The Investec Trophy for the Show’s best white wine was won by Paul Cluver Estate for its 2020 Chardonnay.
The Rosa Kruger Trophy for the best Old Vine wine is awarded to a gold medal winning wine produced entirely from certified heritage vineyards (minimum vine age 35 years). This year’s laureate is Paarls’ Brookdale for its single vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020.
The International Judges’ Trophy awarded to the wine which has the highest score from the three international judges on the trophy panel was taken home this year by Oldenburg vineyards for the cellar’s 2021 Chardonnay.
One of the only newcomers on the trophy winners’ podium this year was Trade Winds, which won the Sunday Times Trophy for the show’s best Sauvignon Blanc.
The cellar shared this newcomer status with Brookdale estate, MAN Family Wines Louisvale, and Babylonstoren.
These achievements speak for themselves, but when seen in the context of the competition’s traditional low medal counts, they count a great deal.
Altogether 673 wines were entered into The Trophy Wine Show for 2022.
Of this number only 30 won gold medals.
Of the gold medallists 20 won trophies. In addition 134 silver and 346 bronze medals were awarded.
Local trophy winners:
Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux style Red Blend, Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine, Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall went to Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019.
Rosa Kruger Trophy for Best Old Vine Wine went to Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020.
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc: Nederburg Two Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Wooded).
Trophy for Best Museum Class Dessert Wine: Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012.
Local Gold Medal winners:
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2021;
Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020.
