International wine writers to judge at Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2011

International wine writers to judge at Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show


12 April 2011 by Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show

Three of the worlds most influential wine writers – all equally famous as wine judges - will be visiting South Africa in early May to join six local experts at the 10th Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Three of the worlds most influential wine writers – all equally famous as wine judges – will be visiting South Africa in early May to join six local experts at the 10th Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.

Debra Meiburg MW, is a founding director and judge of the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, the largest pan-Asian wine competition. She has also been voted “Most Influential Wine Journalist in Hong Kong.” Neal Martin is critic-at-large for eRobert Parker, America's most important wine publication. Thierry Desseauve, who was a founder of La Revue du Vins de France, now produces Frances most influential wine guide. All three will spend almost at week at the Grande Roche in Paarl assessing the best of South Africas current releases.

They will share this task with several of South Africa's most highly trained palates – including Cathy van Zyl, South Africa's only resident UK trained Master of Wine, former editor of Wine Magazine Christian Eedes, winery owner Gary Jordan, sommelier Miguel Chan, industry consultant Ginette de Fleuriot CWM and wine buyer François Rautenbach. Michael Fridjhon, who has served as a senior judge at the worlds most important international competitions, will again direct proceedings as the Show Chairman.

The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show – launched in 2002 – swiftly acquired a reputation as South Africa's most impartial and most reliable arbiter of wine quality. All the wines – which total around 1,000 – are tasted blind by a panel of nine judges over four days. The Judges’ Feedback session ensues shortly thereafter where industry members are invited to meet the judges and hear their impressions. The judges’ feedback will be available on www.trophywineshow.co.za a fortnight after the event.

The 1 June announcement of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show launches a two week road show comprising Old Mutual Master Class™ tastings in the major SA cities, and in Windhoek. Public Tastings will be held in Cape Town and Johannesburg on 9 and 10 June respectively. Tickets for the public tastings are available from mid-May via www.computicket.com.