Simonsig Estate Celebrates 25 Years of Veritas with Gold
Wednesday, 14 October, 2015
Simonsig Wine Estate
Simonsig Wine Estate from Stellenbosch put in a multi-carat performance at this year’s Veritas Awards, South Africa’s largest and most prestigious wine and brandy competition which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
The acclaimed Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2012 won a rare Veritas Double Gold, while five other of the Estate’s wines garnered Gold medals.
The five Gold medals went to Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2012, Redhill Pinotage 2013, Tiara 2012 (Bordeaux-styled blend) and two Chenin Blancs, namely Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2015 and Woolworths Unwooded Chenin Blanc 2014.
Some 1 763 wines and brandies were entered into this year’s Veritas Awards, of which only 44 natural wines won Double Golds and 157 Gold.
According to Johan Malan, cellarmaster at Simonsig Estate, Veritas remains the pinnacle of South Africa’s wine competitions with which he and his team have been associated since its inception in 1991.
“The selection process is done by panels of experts from both the international and South African wine industries and just being on the list of Double Gold and Gold medal winners is a terrific achievement - especially as the standard of South African wines is currently the highest it has ever been,” says Johan.
“Not only has the number of local producers grown since Veritas began 25 years ago, but the standard of competition, too. In 1991 there were 801 wines entered, and today this has more than doubled. To stay winning Double Gold and Gold – especially as consistently as Simonsig has been fortunate to do over the years, says a lot about our understanding of our Stellenbosch vineyard sites and the skilled cellar team,” he continues.
“This year’s Veritas Double Gold and Gold accolades also underscore the Malan family’s belief that Stellenbosch is home to some of the finest terroir in the country, a fact now also recognised around the world.”
Johan is especially pleased that the Veritas medals honoured Simonsig’s vinous diversity.
“With a broad and varied wine offering and our reputation as the pioneers of Méthode Cap Classique, Simonsig has had to work hard to position each of our various offerings as wines that can stand alongside the best in the country,” he says. “Tireless efforts to select and manage the best site-specific vineyards for each variety, judicious blending and focus in the cellar are paying dividends as Simonsig is currently getting the attention we think it deserves.”
Besides awarding quality winemaking, Johan says Veritas remains one of the leading vehicles for guiding the consumer through the country’s cluttered wine offering. “Besides the high quality of South African wines, there is also the fact that the wine-lover has never had so many wines to choose from due to the proliferation of producers and wine labels, as is seen by the total number of 290 cellars entering Veritas this year” he says.
“With its distinctive golden logo, which will adorn the bottles of our six winners, Veritas is a welcome indication to consumers looking for wines which have passed a stringent selection process recognising top quality.
“When I look back at the past 25 years of Veritas, it is with immense gratitude to see that Simonsig has garnered 37 Double Golds and 87 Gold medals over the years. With such a consistent track record I believe wine lovers can buy our wines with great confidence.”
Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2013
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Simonsig winemaking team - Johan Malan, Debbie Thompson, Hannes Meyer and Charl Schoeman
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