The IWSC announce 2015 South Africa wine results at flagship showcase in Cape Town

Today (15^th September) sees the announcement of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s (IWSC) South Africa wine results for 2015. This year brings notable results for South African farms, with a 50% increase in the coveted Gold medals. The competition has also announced the South African Producer of the Year shortlist, with the winner to be announced in November at the annual awards banquet at the Guildhall in London. Results have been released in conjunction with the opening of Cape Wine, the flagship trade showcase of the South African wine industry. Hosted by Wines of South Africa, the three-day exhibition brings the international wine community together to give an insight into the depth and range of current South African winemaking. As the largest show of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, the show provides the perfect platform to announce the IWSC winners.  IWSC judge, Dr Winifred Bowman, will host an IWSC Gold medal winners’ tasting on the first day of the show, (15^th September). Attendees will find out what makes a gold medal winning wine and be one of the first to taste the judges’ favourites. Ewan Lacey, general manager of the IWSC commented on the announcement;

“The South African wine results this year have been exceptional. Our judges were really impressed with the quality of wines presented at judging, awarding a record number of both Gold and Gold Outstanding medals. We’ve seen first time entrants’ storm the medal table as well as established competitors perform very well with brand new products.” Many single varietal wines performed very well; KWV won gold with their The Mentors Petit Verdot 2012. Other highlights were a Gold medal for Benguela Cove Shiraz 2014 and a Gold Outstanding medal for Cederberg Driehoek Shiraz 2012. Stand out winners from the announcement include Stellenbosch based StellenRust who scooped two Gold Outstanding medals, one for StellenRust 50 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2014 and another for StellenRust Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013; part of a 10 medal strong haul from the vineyard. Kanonkop Wine Estate also bagged two Gold Outstanding medals, as well as three Gold medals, amongst a total of 14 medals. As a region, Stellenbosch dominated the Gold and Gold Outstanding medal table.Sparkling wines once again tasted very well in this years’ Competition, reaffirming South Africa’s position as a top producer in the category. Both Graham Beck and Kleine Zalze picked up Gold medals for their Graham Beck Rhona Blanc de Blancs, and Vintage Brut Methode Cap Classique 2009 respectively. These were amongst 25 medals for Cap Classique, 23 of which were Silver and above demonstrating the quality of sparkling wines on show at the competition. IWSC Chair Judge Dave Hughes said;

“Entries were well up on previous years and a real encouraging factor was the amount of first time entrants for 2015. Judging at the Grande Roche in Paarl always gives all entrants a ‘Gold Outstanding’ experience with well-versed staff and judges (both local and international) on hand to deliver an unrivalled judging programme. The local judging certainly encourages a wide range of quality entries and we look forward to more in 2016.”

International trophies including The Chenin Blanc Trophy and The Pinotage Trophy will be presented in November at the Annual Awards Banquet held in London, along with the announcement of the coveted South African Wine Producer of the Year.

2015 SOUTH AFRICAN WINE PRODUCER SHORTLIST

·         Jordan Wines       

·         Kanonkop Wine Estate       

·         Uva Mira Mountain Vineyards

·         StellenRust Wines               

·         Glen Carlou Vineyards (Pty) Ltd

·         KWV SA

·         Nederburg Wines               

View the full list of results here.