Tsogo Sun, South Africa’s leading hotel, gaming and entertainment
group, will from this year join international cork supplier Amorim as sponsor
of the wine industry’s leading competition for Cap Classique wines.
Amorim has been sponsoring the Cap Classique Challenge since 2002, and from
this year Tsogo Sun has stepped in to add lustre to this premier competition
which will now be known as the Amorim Tsogo Sun Cap Classique Challenge.
Says Joaquim
Sa, MD of Amorim Sa: “South Africa's premier Cap Classique showcase has entered
a new phase with the joint sponsorship of Tsogo Sun. Where Amorim is a leader
in natural cork products to the wine industry, Tsogo Sun’s reputation for fine
wine and culinary excellence will further enhance the image of the Cap
Classique category. Together with Cap Classique producers, Amorim looks
forward to the partnership with Tsogo Sun in what has now become a premier wine
competition.”
“Tsogo Sun is a proud supporter of the
South African wine industry and is thrilled to be associated with this long
standing and unique competition focusing on the dynamic Cap Classique wine
category”, says Miguel Chan, Tsogo Sun Group Sommelier. “We strive to
offer our guests an excellent selection of wines and sparkling wines on all our
menus. This partnership is a example of our commitment to providing an
exceptional food & beverage experience across our restaurants, bars and
lounges in South Africa”.
Entries are now open for the 2013
Challenge which will be judged in 5 categories: Blanc de Blanc, Rosé, Blend,
Museum Class (prior to 2008 vintage) and an innovation category for boutique
makers of a maximum of 1000 bottles. Méthode Cap Classique producers have
until Wednesday, 24 July, to submit their wine entries.
The judging will take place on Thursday,
25 July, at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel. The judging panel
consists of some of South Africa’s most experienced tasters and best Cap
Classique ambassadors: Neil Pendock (South Africa’s leading independent drinks
commentator) Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright (Cape Wine Master and editor of WineStyle
Magazine), Cathy Marston (freelance judge and wine writer for local and
international publications including Cape Times, Food24.com and Wine Spectator)
and Georgio Meletiou (Senior Assistant F&B Manager and Sommelier at
Southern Sun The Cullinan). They will be joined by world authority on
sparkling wine, Jaume Gramona. Gramona is a lecturer at the Faculty ofOenology in Bordeaux and Universitat Rovira I Virgili. He is also a
prestigious cava producer in Spain. The judging panel will sit under the
convenorship of Allan Mullins, Cape Wine Master, Woolworths Wine Selector and
arguably South Africa’s leading MCC expert.
“Since its inception, the Cap Classique
Challenge has been about promoting excellence in the MCC category, one of the
South African wine industries’ showpieces,” says Pieter Ferreira, Chairman of
the MCC Association and Graham Beck Wines Cellarmaster. “Not only is the
MCC Challenge a showcase for the excellent qualilty of MCC produced in South
Africa, but it also has the effect of increasing an awareness of this category
among the local and international consumer.”
This year’s winners will be announced at
a luncheon awards ceremony at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town
on Tuesday, 17 September.
Entries close on Wednesday, 24 July.
Judging will take place on Thursday, 25
July, at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel.
Winners will be announced at The Southern
Sun The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday, 17 September.
For further details, please contact
Miguel Chan on Miguel.chan@tsogosun.com
