This week (22 - 26 July) a host of wine experts will sniff, taste and appraise no less than 2 060 wines entered for the 2013 SA Young Wine Awards. These wines - originating from the eight wine regions of the country - were entered by 135 producers who have their eyes on the sought-after General Smuts trophy for the country's best young wine, the Pietman Hugo Trophy for the highest score in five categories, as well as 17 other championship trophies and gold, silver and bronze medals.
The SA Young Wine Show is by far South Africa's largest and oldest competition for young wines and offers wine makers the ultimate opportunity to compare their choices of wine styles and production methods with those of their peers at an early stage.
The meticulous judging system, as well as the experience and expertise of the 128 tasters who judge in specialist cultivar panels, further enhance the credibility of the competition.
As in previous years, an eighth learner judge will join the various tasting panels in order to gain valuable training and exposure. Assistant wine makers, protégés, viticulturists, cellar workers that have competed the US Wine Evaluation course and even wine writers will this year benefit from this endeavour.
Wines are judged in 17 categories, namely 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 once again leads in terms of the number of entries with 110, while Cabernet Sauvignon (wooded) breathes in its neck with 109 entries, followed by Any Cultivar Blend (Red Wine - wooded) with 102 entries.
The best of the 2013 vintage will be announced during a luncheon on Thursday 15 August at the Org de Rac Winery in Piketberg - an event hosted by the Swartland Wine Route and presented under the auspices of Agri-Expo who has been serving the wine industry for more than 180 years.
For more information, contact Elsabe Ferreira at tel 021 863 1599, via email to admin@veritas.co.za or visit www.youngwineshow.co.za . Stay abreast with the latest news on Facebook at South African Young Wine Show or Twitter #sayoungwine.
