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in the news » SA's Top 5 Estate Wines announced
published on: 27 July 2012      source: Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards
 
After a record 276 entries for the seventh annual Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards, the first ever SA Terroir Top 5 Estate Wines were chosen by the panel of seven judges.
South Africa’s top five estate wines are Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2011, Kaapzicht Steytler Pentagon 2008 (red blend), Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2008, Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria 2011 (natural sweet) and Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection 2010.

The top wine estate is also chosen out of all the estate wine entries and the winner of the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Estate is Wildekrans Estate, between Grabouw and Elgin in the Bot River Ward of the Walker Bay District. The Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection 2010 is in the five top scoring wines of all the wines entered in the competition and besides being one of the Top 5 Estate Wines, it was also chosen as the National Winner of Chenin Blanc. Two more Wildekrans wines were chosen as winners in the Walker Bay District, while another wine received an above average rating. Following very closely in second place for the Top Wine Estate Trophy was Kaapzicht, with two National Winners, with the same wines chosen as Top 5 Estate Wines, while another wine received an above average rating.

“The focus of the annual Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards is on the wine producers who, with passion, have become wine growing terrain (terroir) perfectionists. This is a perfect combination of soil, climate, viticulture and vinification. Only wines certified as Wine of Origin (WO) from a single vineyard, estate, ward or small district not divided into wards can be entered,” says founder and project leader Marius Labuschagne.

The 2012 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards National Winners for cultivar wines, red and white blends, rosé, sparkling wine and dessert wine are: Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve White 2010 (white blend), Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection 2010, Kaapzicht Steytler Pentagon 2008 (red blend), Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2008, KWV Mentors Viognier 2011, Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2011, Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2008, Nuy Chardonnay 2009, Nuy White Muscadel 2007, Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2012, Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2007, Anura Syrah Limited Release 2007 (Shiraz), De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2008 (port), La Motte Brut Cap Classique 2009 (sparkling wine), Neethlingshof Gewürztraminer 2012, Neethlingshof Short Story Collection Maria 2011 (natural sweet), Welbedacht Merlot 2005, Signatures of Doolhof Malbec 2010 and David Nieuwoudt Ghost Corner Semillon 2010.

For the third year the trophy for a winegrowing terrain that produced the most top performing wines was also awarded. The winner of the 2012 Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area is Stellenboschkloof in the Stellenbosch District. Jordan Estate and Neethlingshof Estate were the main contributors with three National Winners, one of the Top 5 Estate Wines and six winners in the Stellenbosch District.

"The Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards is now in its seventh year and it has grown year-by-year with record entries each time. We are passionately involved because the unique and special wine growing areas in Southern Africa must always be a subject and a tasteful journey of discovery for local and international wine lovers. The variety of great terroirs on the southern tip of Africa deserves its own recognition and must always be used to the full. We are proud to be involved," says Derrick Roper, CEO of Novare.

The 2012 judges were Andrea Freeborough, Dave Hughes, David Biggs, Guy Webber, Irina von Holdt, Marilyn Cooper and Pierre Marais. The technical coordinator was Charl Theron. Results were audited by Novare’s accounts department. For the full results visit www.terroirwineawards.co.za.
 
 
Comments comments < hide 5 comments > COMMENTS add a comment
  terroir  - Wallace - 2012/07/27 12:00:00 AM
Some interesting and unusual names there...
  Misleading press release  - Mike Ratcliffe - 2012/07/27 12:00:00 AM
The heading on this press release is misleading and makes an exaggerated claim that cannot be substantiated. It would have been appropriate for wine.co.za to exercise some editorial restraint instead of simply accepting the PR as fact.
  A FIRST  - Blake Carrington - 2012/07/28 12:00:00 AM
The headline should be: A FIRST FOR THE FIRST FIVE FIRST'S
  SA's Top 5 Estate Wines announced  - VERONICA - CHEVY CHASE - 2012/07/28 12:00:00 AM
Groot Constantia Chardonnay 2011 - wonderful!!!! Would love to try the Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2008.
CONGRADS TO ALL
  Wildekrans  - Phil Jones - 2012/07/30 12:00:00 AM
I tasted the Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection 2010 and was blown away by it - a fantastic expression of SA Chenin Blanc. Pity it's not exported to the UK.

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