The 2013 Paarl Shiraz Chenin Challenge has finally drawn to a close, and winners, along with the Paarl finalists in the Cellar Worker of the Year competition, were announced at a gala dinner held at the Grande Roche on Wednesday evening, 28 August 2013. Three categories, one tasting panel and nine judges, all experienced tasters and well versed with the different varietals, was chaired by Ken Forrester (Chenin) and Nico Vermeulen (Shiraz). Respected winemakers Dewaldt Heyns, Richard Rowe and Jacque Borman, wine writers, Neil Pendock and Norman McFarlane as well as sommeliers Neil Grant and Josephine Gutentoft were in attendance, making up the balance of the tasting panel. The trophy for best Chenin Blanc went to the Slent Farms Ayama Chenin Blanc 2012, whilst the Windmeul Chenin Blanc Reserve 2012 and Perdeberg Saam Chenin Blanc 2013 secured the positions of first and second runner up respectively. In the shiraz division Perderberg Winery was nominated the winner with their The Dryland Collection Shiraz 2011, and the Under Oaks Shiraz Reserve 2010 coming in as first runner up. Rhebokskloof Shiraz 2010 took the title as second runner up. This year the rules were changed slightly in that only wine of origin Paarl could be entered in the Shiraz and Chenin categories, with a third category, the Winemakers Selection coming to fruition. This category was not limited to wine of origin Paarl but had to be made in a cellar within the boundaries of Paarl. Winner of this category was the Mt Vernon Three Peaks Cantata 2011. Hot on the heels of the winning wine was Slent Farms Ayama Merlot 2012 and the Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2010. Also announced were the regional finalists of the Cellar Worker of the Year - Albie van der Westhuizen (winner), Juan-Pierre Smit and Carolus Leibrandt all from the KWV cellar, who will represent Paarl in the upcoming national competition. Complete results for each WINE judging category were as follows : TOP TEN CHENIN BLANCS Boland Cellar Chenin Blanc Reserve No1 2012 Fairview Wines La Capra Chenin Blanc 2013 Landskroon Wines Chenin Blanc Dry 2013 Perdeberg Chenin Blanc Reserve 2012 Perdeberg Winery Saam Chenin Blanc 2013 Rhebokskloof Estate Pearlstone Bostok Chenin Blanc 2013 Slent Farms (Pty) Ltd Ayama Chenin Blanc 2012 Under Oaks Chenin Blanc 2013 Windmeul Kelder Chenin Blanc 2013 Windmeul Kelder Chenin Blanc Reserve 2012 TOP TEN SHIRAZ Perdeberg Winery The Dryland Collection Shiraz 2011 Under Oaks Shiraz Reserve 2010 Rhebokskloof Shiraz 2010 Fairview Wines Beacon Shiraz 2010 Boland Cellar Shiraz Reserve No. 1 2011 Rhebokskloof Black Marble Hill Syrah 2011 Windmeul Kelder Shiraz 2011 Fairview Wines Eenzaamheid Shiraz 2011 Vrede & Lust Syrah 2010 Windmeul Kelder Shiraz Reserve 2010 WINEMAKERS SELECTION Mt Vernon Three Peaks Cantata 2011 Slent Farms (Pty) Ltd Ayama Merlot 2012 Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2010 Perdeberg Winery The Dry Land Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Fairview Wines Cyril Back Shiraz 2009 Rhebokskloof Mouvedre Grenache Shiraz 2010 Under Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2010 Vrede & Lust Vrede & Lust Boet Erasmus 2009 Windmeul Kelder Cape Blend 2012 Simonsvlei International Herculus Paragon SMCV 2010 Paarl Vintners Annelize Stroebel Tel: 021 863 4886 Email: info@paarlwine.co.za Image caption: Regional Finalists of the Cellar Worker of the Year : Juan-Pierre Smit, Albie van der Westhuizen (Winner) and Carolus Leibrandt all from KWV