MEDIA RELEASE: OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW AWARDS 2011

MEDIA RELEASE: OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW AWARDS 2011


AN UNSURPRISING SURPRISE

2011 AWARDS


In the most closely contested race since the inaugural event in 2002, Spier edged ahead of Thelema Mountain Vineyards to take the Fairbairn Capital Trophy for the Top Producer at the 2011 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Adding the show's most prestigious trophy to an exceptional season of international awards, Spier's Frans Smit can now include the laurels of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show to his medals from the Decanter World Wine Awards and the Concours Mondiales. While Thelema had exactly the same Trophy, Gold and Silver medal count as Spier in its five highest scoring wines, it had a lower medal-to-entry ratio over its total number of submissions. In the end this proved to be the tie-breaker for the narrowest margin in the show's history.

Spier's top results came from winning the Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend and a Gold medal for Shiraz, while Thelema secured the British Airways Comair Trophy for the Show's best Shiraz (which also won the Old Mutual Trophy for the Best Red Wine), and a Gold medal in the blended white wine class for its Roussanne Viognier.

The 2011 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show saw an increase in entries over the 2010 event, and a markedly higher number of Silver and Bronze medals awarded, a clear indication of the ever-increasing number of high quality wines available on the local market.

The Gold medal count was down however, mainly, it would seem, because the judges have responded to the general improvement in wine quality by raising the bar even higher for these much sought-after accolades.

Only twenty five Gold medals were awarded (compared with 32 in 2010) and of these, five were from Museum Class entries (compared with seven in 2010).

Most of the major classes were represented among the Golds, though the absence of a Chenin Blanc and a Port among these top awards was a disappointment.

 
The Riesling category continued to show the enhanced quality and interest first revealed last year, with the Just Riesling Trophy being awarded to Jordan Estate for its Riesling 2009.

For the first time there was also a Museum Class Riesling Trophy awarded – the laureate being Hartenberg for its Weisser Riesling 1999.

A new award has been created this year – the Old Mutual International Judges' Trophy – for the wine which, in the opinion of the three international judges at this year's show, was the very best wine at the trophy judging.

In theory, this wine will represent the Show’s top wine from an international perspective. The inaugural winner was the Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2009.

Co-convenor of the competition (together with Wine magazine) and Chairman of the Judges, Michael Fridjhon, was enthusiastic about the overall results: “We are seeing a strong improvement through all the ranks, with some very encouraging signs at the top of what used to be problematic classes.

A pair of Merlot gold medals, ongoing strength from Pinotage and Riesling producers as well as the results we have come to expect from Shiraz, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and blended whites all suggest that the industry is addressing its past weaknesses and maintaining the gains of the past couple of years.

There is some concern that we are not finding the same depth and resonance in Cabernet and Cabernet-blends, though the increase in the silver medal count is very encouraging.”

“Old Mutual is proud of its 10-year sponsorship of the most prestigious event on South Africa’s wine calendar,’ says Joy Khaole, Old Mutual’s sponsorship manager.

“Not only does it provide us with opportunities to build relationships with the wine-loving community, but it enables us to support the pursuit of excellence in an industry important to the reputation of Brand South Africa.”

Within the next two weeks, a series of tastings will be taken to six major centres countrywide including a Masterclass® in Windhoek. Wine lovers in Cape Town and Johannesburg will be able to taste 141 Trophy, Gold, Silver and some Museum Class medal winning wines at public tastings.

Each show visitor will receive a copy of the Icons Guide - which contains details of all the winning wines, together with vintage information, advice about wine service and chapters contributed by some of the international judges.

Icons will appear FREE with the July issue of Wine.

This is an extraordinary publishing achievement and a tribute to the dedication of the team at Wine magazine.