Entries for this year’s SA Young Wine Show have surpassed the 2 000 mark.
This might well be an indication of a promising 2012 harvest in terms of grape and consequent wine quality. It also underlines the confidence that wine makers and cellar masters from the country’s eight diverse wine regions still have in this, the oldest and largest competition for young wines.
From 23 - 27 July proficient wine experts will blind taste and consider samples of the 2 124 participating wines. The highest acclaim of the competition is undoubtedly receiving the coveted General Smuts trophy for the country’s best young wine. The Pietman Hugo trophy for the highest marks in five categories, as well as other championship trophies and gold, silver and bronze medals are surely just as desirable.
Cellar masters and wine makers invariably receive invaluable feedback on their current decisions regarding wine styles and production methods when their fledgling wines are reviewed.
Qualified wine makers and experts with specialist knowledge about the wine styles and cultivars are annually selected to judge the entries. For this reason wine makers have for decades trusted and supported this competition. As in previous years an eighth learner judge will join the panels consisting of seven experienced judges. Due to popular demand from the industry the training opportunity for emerging assistant wine makers, cellar and vineyard workers will again coincide with the judging process.
The stars of the 2012 vintage will be announced during a gala event on Thursday 16 August at the Sport Centre of the Bloemhof Girls High School in Stellenbosch. The award ceremony is presented under the auspices of Agri-Expo that initiated the country’s very first wine show some 180 years ago.
Wines compete in seventeen different categories and in addition to the two main trophies, entries stand a chance to be named SA Champion in the various classes. The categories include Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other White Cultivars, Dry White Blends, Sweet White Wine, Noble Late Harvest, Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivars, Dry Red Blends, Port, Dessert wine and Muscadel.
Sauvignon Blanc leads this year’s entries with 121, while Shiraz (wooded) follows with 111 entries and Red Blends (wooded) attracted 109 entries.
For more information, contact Elsabe Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599, email to admin@veritas.co.za or visit www.youngwineshow.co.za For the latest news follow South African Young Wine Show on Facebook or Twitter #sayoungwine.
Samantha De Morney-Hughes
