Outstanding Success for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards

Tuesday, 10 September, 2013
Decanter World Wine Awards
South Africa has taken joint-second place of countries awarded International Trophies at this year's Decanter World Wine Awards (DWWA), the world's largest wine competition, winning four of the prestigious top accolades. The winners were announced last night in London, at the 10th anniversary DWWA presentation dinner at the Royal Opera House.
The Sauvignon Blanc over £15 Trophy went to Elim producer David Nieuwoudt, showing that New Zealand isn't the only New World country making world-class Sauvignon. His winning wine was the Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2012, made in an estate on the edge of the Cederberg Wilderness Area. South Africa's Regional Chair at the DWWA, Lynne Sherriff MW, comments that within South Africa "Sauvignon Blanc continues to flourish and break the mould, showing regional variety, ranging from the chalky, mineral and steely to the more herbaceous and exotic flavours, giving the wine lover a great range of choice".

In the Dry Aromatic under £15 category, Paul Cluver's Gewürztraminer 2012 from Elgin claimed the title after two years in the hands of Argentinan Torrontés, while South Africa's third and fourth Trophies went to Cape Point for their Isliedh 2012, and Boschendal, winning the White Blend over £15 and Red Rhône varietal under £15 Trophies, respectively.

"As well as producing a wide range of styles, South African winemakers are going from strength to strength in putting their own regional stamp on Old World classics. The whites are particularly exciting and diverse at the moment, while a Trophy win for Boschendal, Reserve Collection Shiraz 2011 is a testament to Stellenbosch's established winemaking", commented Steven Spurrier, who presented the International Trophy winners with their certificates at last night's black-tie event. Over 14,000 wines were tasted at this year's DWWA and South Africa's 14 Regional Trophy winners competed against wines from around the world for the 32 International Trophy titles.

International Trophies are the top tier of awards given out at the DWWA, with Regional Trophies, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Commended medals below these. Out of the 820 South African wines tasted at this year's Awards, 633 were awarded a medal, equating to a 77.2% success rate for the country.

South Africa's four DWWA 2013 International Trophy winners are as follows:
- Sauvignon Blanc over £15 - David Nieuwoudt, Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc, Elim 2012
- White Blend over £15 - Cape Point Vineyards, Isliedh, Cape Point 2012
- Dry Aromatic under £15 - Paul Cluver Gewürztraminer, Elgin 2012
- Red Rhône varietal under £15 - Boschendal, Reserve Collection Shiraz, Stellenbosch 2011

Click here to read the DWWA International Trophy Press Release - all winners.