The National Wine Challenge, incorporating Top 100 SA Wines, the premier fine-wine-only event in SA, launched the hugely popular 2017 winning wines results last night.
Top wineries, their wine makers and partners celebrated their victories at Crossly & Webb, the exclusive motor showroom in Cape Town. The hallmark jazz band kept things light and superb winning wines upped the jovial mood. Following the actual awards ceremony, in customary style the winning wines were opened for a bout of serious tasting. Once again, records broke with a strong show of support; 500++ of the Capes best wines were entered. A record number of wineries participated. But where did the gongs finally go? And how were the awards broken up?
ROBIN VON HOLDT reviews the 2017 NATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE (NWC):
“We are utterly delighted with the fantastic levels of interest and support given to us by so many of SA’s leading vineyards. There is obviously great respect for the professional way that the team goes about its business of supporting and promoting fine SA wines through the National Wine Challenge. Most importantly it is evident that wineries and their key players see the value of competing and winning the awards and achieving the high-end recognition that goes with that. Seven successful years on, and record fine-wine entries are endorsing the brand.”
JAMIE GOODE, judging panel chairman, shared his observation and summary:
“It only seems like yesterday that we gathered to judge the first instalment of the Top 100 in 2011, so it’s a surprise to realise that this year’s event was the seventh. For two days we gathered at Schoenstatt, in Constantia, for some rigorous but enjoyable wine judging, aided by the return of Greg Sherwood, and two new but highly competent judges, Matt Day and Treve Ring. One of the strengths of this competition is the international experience of many of the judges, blended with local expertise, and also the professional way it is run. Every wine gets a fair chance, and no decision is made lightly. Organised and administered in its meticulous and professional manner and tasted totally ‘blind’, I’m looking forward to seeing the results and appreciating which wines did well this year.”
**Our Survivor Chenin Blanc 2016 won a Double Platinum and Top 100 Award.
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