This is the finale following a rigorous process to select the best South African wines out of more than 1,000 entered with SAA earlier this year. These are the wines that will be offered on all the airline’s flights throughout 2008.

 

Wines are tasted and judged over a period of three days by prominent local and international connoisseurs and industry experts.

 

 

• Red Wine Trophy of the Year – Saronsberg 

• White Wine Trophy of the Year – Fleur du Cap  

• Port Trophy of the Year – Boplaas Family Vinyards  

• Methode Cap Classique – Villiera Wines
 

SAA Chief Executive Officer’s Wine Award (for best performance in 2008 judging) – Bellingham & Hartenberg
 

SAA Chairman’s Wine Award (Biggest Volume Purchased) – Overhex Wines International
 

The process has allowed SAA for the last 21 years to celebrate South Africa’s renowned wine industry and to further promote up and coming producers.

 

It is also the airline’s wish to increase awareness of the industry and to encourage others to begin recognising its benefits.

 

“The South African Wine industry has over the last few years contributed significantly towards the country’s positive economic standing. It has also provided significant opportunities for wealth creation as more people have become aware of the opportunities available. While we want to offer our passengers something delectable and exclusive for the palate when travelling with us, we also want to promote the development of the industry,” says Rushj Lehutso, SAA General Manager Commercial.

 

 

The judging is a rigorous process carefully monitored by independent auditors, Deloitte and Touche.

 

On the first day, judges are divided into groups of three to score the 750ml wines within their categories using a 100 point system. The auditors compile the scores identifying the top scoring wines in each category, which go into the second day of tasting.

 

On day two, all 750ml wines in the final round are tasted and scored and the auditors establish a final ranking per category.

 

The remaining categories of Port, Methode Cap Classique, 187ml wines will be tasted and scored by the panel of judges. To establish the winning red and white wine, judges are presented with the top scoring wines and once again score and rank them.

 

Wine estates of the top wines selected are awarded at the SAA Wine Awards.

 

The categories are Best Red Wine, Best White Wine, Best Port and Best Methode Cap Classique.

Complete On Board Wine Listing 2008:

PREMIUM CLASS RED WINE

• Groenland: Groenland Cabernet Sauvignon  2004
• Bellingham: The Maverick Syrah 2005
• Stellenzicht Vineyards: Golden Triangle Merlot 2005  
• M'hudi Wines: M'hudi Pinotage 2005
• Beau Joubert Vineyards: Beau Joubert Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
• Sumaridge Wines: Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2006
• Ernst & Co Wines: Ernst & Co Merlot 2005
• Saronsberg Cellar: Provenance Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Merlot/Petit Verdot 2005
• Mooiplaas Estate: Mooiplaas Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
• Thelema Mountain Vineyards: Thelema Shiraz 2005
• Hartenberg Estate: Hartenberg Merlot 2005
• Groenland: Antoinette Marie Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2004
• Bergsig Estate: Bergsig Cabernet Savignon 2005
• De Wetshof Estate: Danie de Wet Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2007
• Hartenberg Estate: Hartenberg Merlot 2005
• Amani Vineyards: Amani Merlot 2006
• Laibach Vineyards: Friedrich Laibach Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot/Cabernet Franc 2005
• Hartenberg Estate: Hartenberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
• Lorraine Private Cellar: Cape Harmony Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Pinotage 2004
• Lanzerac Wines: Lanzerac Pinotage 2006
• Anura Vineyards: Anura Malbec 2005
• Stormhoek: Guava Pinotage 2004
• La Motte: La Motte Pierneef Shiraz/Viognier 2005
• Rustenberg Wines: Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
• Hidden Valley Wines: Hidden Valley Pinotage 2005

PREMIUM CLASS WHITE WINE

• Groote Post Vineyards: Groote Post Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Hartenberg Estate: Hartenberg Weisser Reisling 2006
• GlenWood: Vigneron's Selection Chardonnay 2006
• Knorhoek Wines: Knorhoek Chenin Blanc 2004
• Fleur du Cap: Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Bellingham: Bellingham Chardonnay/Viognier 2006
• Tokara: Tokara Chardonnay 2006
• Leopard's Leap Wines: Leopard's Leap Chenin Blanc 2007
• Lutzville Cape Diamond Vineyards: Cape Diamond Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Zevenwacht: Zevenwacht The Tin Mine White 2006
• Quoin Rock Winery: Cape Agulhas Chardonnay 2005
• Rietvallei Estate: Rietvallei Chenin Blanc 2007
• Bellingham: Bellingham Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Fleur du Cap: Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc 2007
• Hartenberg Estate: Hartenberg Chardonnay 2006
• Alvi's Drift Private Cellar: Alvi's Drift Premium Selection Chenin Blanc 2007
• Elgin Vintners: Elgin Vinters Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• MAN Vintners: MAN Vintners Chenin Blanc 2007
• The Winery of Good Hope: Radford Dale Chardonnay 2006
• Bellingham: The Maverick Chenin Blanc 2006
• Flagstone Winery: Free Run Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Dieu Donné Vineyards: Dieu Donne Chardonnay Unwooded 2006
• The Company of Wine People: Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• La Couronne Estate: La Couronne Unwooded Chardonnay 2006

ECONOMY CLASS WINES

• JC Le Roux: JC Le Roux Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• JC Le Roux: JC Le Roux La Vallee N/V
• MAN Vintners: MAN Vinters Chardonnay 2006
• The Company of Wine People: Arniston Bay Chardonnay 2007

• Vunani Wines: Vunani Isilimela Chardonnay 2006
• Perdeberg Winery: Perdeberg Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Hill & Dale: Hill & Dale Sauvignon Blanc 2007
• Overhex Wines: International Overhex Soulo Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Simonsig Estate: Simonsig Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2007
• Anura Vineyards: Anura Syrah 2006
• Long Mountain Wine Company: Long Mountain Ruby Cabernet 2006
• Rietvallei Estate: Rietvallei John B Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
• Saam Mountain Vineyards: Saam Mountain Vineyards Shiraz 2006
• Nederburg Wines: Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2006
• Overhex Wines International: Overhex Balance Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
• Schalk Burger & Sons: Meerkat Burrow Blend Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2006
• Origin Wine: Fairhills Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz 2007