Best Wines on Show at RMB WineX Johannesburg
Wednesday, 11 November, 2009
Out Sorceress Marketing
The tenth RMB WineX Johannesburg, held at the Sandton Convention Centre
from 27 to 30 October, showed a seven percent increase in visitor
numbers and exceeded all expectations in the current economic climate.
More than 16,000 wine lovers and members of the trade attended the show to sip and swirl over 1,000 wines lined up by 200 exhibitors. Visitors to the show cast their votes in the popular WineX people's poll - the Best Wine on Show Awards sponsored by Talk Radio 702 - where the Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2008 and Diemersfontein Pinotage 2009 were hailed the most popular white and red wines respectively.
The Talk Radio 702 Best Wines on Show 2009 are as follows:
Best White Wine on Show: Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2008
Same vintage achieved second place at RMB WineX Cape Town 2009 and previous vintage achieved joint first place at RMB WineX Johannesburg 2008.
Best Red Wine on Show: Diemersfontein Pinotage 2009
Previous vintage achieved 1st place at RMB WineX Cape Town 2009 and 2007 achieved 1st place at RMB WineX Johannesburg 2008
The top three red and white wines at RMB WineX Johannesburg 2009:
Second:
Springfield Life from Stone Sauvignon Blanc 2009
De Toren Fusion V 2007
Third:
Vrede en Lust Viognier 2009
Meerlust Rubicon 2005 and Rupert & Rothschild Baron Edmond 2005
In what is widely regarded as one of the most credible exercises in measuring wine popularity among consumers, the Talk Radio 702 Best Wine on Show Awards recognise and reward the country's top wines offered for sampling at the show. Ninety-eight percent of winery exhibitors received votes at the show reflecting both a rise in ballot participation as well as an increase in brand awareness and wine appreciation. Vrede en Lust received the most votes for their wide range of wines on show.
"There is no doubt from the extent of public response to the Best Wine on Show ballot that the survey fairly reflects the most complete review of consumer preferences available in the Gauteng market. The fact that its laureates include some of the country's best known premium cellars tells us that the audience at RMB WineX is enthusiastic and indisputably wine literate. The broad range of styles recognised and rewarded simply reflects the size of the ballot and the range of choices open to participants. The overlap between the Cape Town and Johannesburg result confirms this," commented Michael Fridjhon, director of WineX.
Celebrating ten years in Sandton, RMB WineX saw wine sales generated through the Shop@Show facility transacted by Johannesburg retailer Norman Goodfellows top the R3m mark, an increase of over 20 percent and consistent with previous shows' year-on-year growth in sales at the show.
The top selling wine by volume was one of the Top Ten whites Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2009 and - by value - third rated red Meerlust Rubicon 2005.
Rotary raises substantial funds for their services at the show and through wine donations from exhibitors.
"RMB WineX has touched the lives of many unfortunate people, contributing at least R1.5m over the past 10 years. This money has been used mainly to purchase food, clothing and the other essentials for those in need. A small portion of the funds raised through WineX has also been donated by the Club to Rotary International in the USA in order for this money to be applied to Rotary's 'End Polio Now' campaign," said Neil Carlson, President of the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora.
Susan Erasmus, Elzanne Geldenhuys, Asone Fourie
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