The 16th Annual Taj Classic Wine Trophy Show

The 16th Annual Taj Classic Wine Trophy Show

The splendid Taj Hotel Cape Town, in association with La Revue du VIN de France, Tonnellerie Claude Gillet, DORRANCE Wines, GQ South Africa and Tonnellerie Darnajou will host the 16th edition of the TAJ Classic Wine Trophy, from 3rd to 7th March 2014. An experienced panel of French judges, committed to upholding the highest standards in this unique celebration of South African wine, will seek to recognize, reward and promote elegance, balance, finesse, ageability and sense of place achieved by vignerons in South Africa.

The panel, under the auspices of Olivier POELS, editor and managing partner of La Revue du VIN de France, will comprise: Olivier POUSSIER, best sommelier in the world winner, wine consultant, writer and group sommelier of Lenôtre; Claude GILOIS, well-known French wine writer, consultant and wine blogger; Philippe DIETRICH, winemaker and director of Michael Petzold Wine Services; Christophe DURAND, Taj Classic Wine Trophy organizer and proprietor of DORRANCE Wines; Miguel CHAN, group sommelier of Tsogo Sun Hotels; Jean-Yves MULLER, co-owner of Sotano and Petit Caveau restaurants; Germain LEHODEY, sommelier of Mosaic restaurant.

Judges in panels of three, over three rounds, will blind-taste entrants in 23 categories to select a shortlist, which will be re-tasted blind by all judges in the Grand Finale. Only 20 of those wines will be awarded a coveted Bacchus Trophy. Bacchus Trophy winners will be listed in La Revue du VIN de France 2014 and promoted at Salon de La Revue du VIN de France in Paris in May 2014. 

The prize for the Most Iconic Entry for 2014 is a pair of new barriques sponsored by distinguished coopers Tonnellerie Claude Gillet and Tonnellerie Darnajou.

Before the results are revealed, a panel of South African judges will select 6 wines from the Bacchus Trophy winners that present the best overall value for readers of GQ South Africa and patrons of the Taj Hotel Cape Town. The awarded wines will be showcased in GQ South Africa and served in the Taj Hotel Cape Town over the month of June 2014.

Entries for this prestigious competition opened on Monday 20th January 2014 and will close on Friday 28th February 2014. Judging takes place from 3rd to 6th of March 2014. Trophy winners, judges, media and distinguished guests will be invited to an exclusive dinner and awards ceremony held on Friday, 7th March 2014 in the luxurious St George’s Room of The Taj Hotel Cape Town.

Entries must be submitted by Friday 28th February 2014. Information and entry forms are available at www.classicwinetrophy.co.za and enquiries can be directed to Sabrina on info@classicwinetrophy.co.za or (021) 683 7479 (office) or 083 415 7211 (cell).