Currently in its 18th year,
the Michelangelo is the only wine competition in South Africa which invites only
international wine judges from around the globe to adjudicate entries. More
than 160 judges from 37 countries have served on the judging panels since 1997.
Only a few competitions are held
annually worldwide for liqueurs - the IWSC in London award a range of liqueurs, the
Australian Distilled Spirits and Liqueurs Awards is held as part of the 2014
Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards (RMFFA). The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is probably the most significant
with 1,400 entries from 63 Countries.
This year local producers and importers
will be invited to submit distilled and fortified products for adjudication by
international specialist judges from Europe and the US. “We are proud to add Austrian liqueur specialist, Jochen Erler and Dutch
liquorist, Rene van Hoven to the liqueur panel. Erler trained as a taster of
spirits and liqueurs at Destillata in Austria and has more than 20 years’
experience as wine, spirits and liqueur judge. Van Hoven holds a Bachelors
degree in Spirits Liquorist and has been judging liqueurs across the globe for
the past decade” says Michelangelo International Wine Awards MD, Lorraine
Immelman.
“Not enough recognition is given to
liqueurs, but winning a prestigious Michelangelo medal judged by an
international panel of experts would give achievers greater credibility and set
them apart from their competitors.”
Jochen Erler, who is a permanent member
of the IWSC spirits and liqueurs judging panel, commented, “A good taster
will in most cases detect whether flavours are natural or artificial, and if
the aroma-giving ingredients are sufficient. However, there are many criteria –
including the quality
and balanced incorporation of the alcohol content – which plays a role, and are
taken into account when judging a liqueur product.”
Immelman continued, “For producers in
particular who export their wine, liqueurs and brandy products, award stickers
are very important. We find that especially consumers and importers are highly
aware of award stickers on bottles. Often even asking to see the physical gold
or Gran d’Or medal.”
Liqueur producers will now be given the
same opportunities with highly acclaimed and respected international
specialists who will judge their products in this year’s Michelangelo.
“We will be inviting entries from
producers and importers of cream and fruit liqueurs (liqueurs made of fruit
other than grapes) as well as those made of berries and other fruit such as citrus and tropical fruit, roots (such
as ginger), herbs (such as rooibos) and flowers,” says Immelman.
Another significant announcement from
the organisers is the support of the world’s largest wine label printing
company, Collotype Labels, as primary sponsor.
Established in 1903 in Adelaide, Australia,
Collotype has grown to become a much-awarded premium label printer with sites
in wine-producing regions around the world.
“We are really excited by the
opportunities opened up by this new sponsorship,” says Michelangelo MD,
Lorraine Immelman. “As the wine and spirit label division of American-based
Multi-Color Corporation, Collotype supports a global industry - which in itself
offers a multiple of
networking prospects.”
Collotype South Africa’s
Managing Director, Rian Moore, commented, “We’re very pleased to be associated
with such a prestigious
and well-respected competition as the Michelangelo. Our involvement
further underlines our commitment to the industry we serve so closely.”
As primary sponsor, Collotype will be
responsible for the supply of all Michelangelo platinum, gran d’or, gold and
silver award stickers, as well as those for the 15 individual Michelangelo
trophies.
Entries open 1 June. Stay connected:
Twitter: @MiwaAwards
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MichelangeloAwards
Website: www.michelangeloawards.com
eMail: info@michelangeloawards.com
Blog: www.michelangeloawards.wordpress.com