For a whole week, from 28 July to 01 August, a total of 1 972 young wines will come under scrutiny in search of youthful quality and setting benchmarks for winemaking and viticultural brilliance.
With 129 producers
entering their finest fresh offerings, Shiraz
once again leads the number of entries with 154, followed closely by Chenin
Blanc (147) and Sauvignon Blanc (135).
A host of
winemakers and experts with specialist
knowledge on specific wine styles will sit on 16 panels, judging the 17
categories, namely Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Other
White Cultivars, Dry White Blends, Sweet White Wine, Noble Late Harvest,
Pinotage, Shiraz,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivars, Dry Red Blends, Port, Dessert
Wine and Muscadel.
All eyes will be
on the sought-after General Smuts trophy for the country’s best young wine, the
Pietman Hugo Trophy for the highest score in five categories, as well as the 17
championship trophies, the gold, silver and bronze medals.
The SA Young Wine
trophies’ main aim is to give recognition to remarkable wines in its first year
of production. By doing this, acknowledgement is given to the skills of the
viticulturist. the winemaker, as well as the proficiency of the cellar. But in
the business of wine this competition also offers winemakers the opportunity to
compare their know-how and skills to their peers in the industry and to assess
wine quality at an early stage.
Winners will be
announced during a gala-dinner and wine tasting on August 22 in the Good Hope
Suites & Market Hall, Grandwest Casino. This glitzy event is hosted by
SANWSA and Agri-Expo, who has been involved in this competition since its
inception in 1833, with Sanlam recently joining as co-sponsor.
For more information, contact the SA Young Wine
office at tel 021 863 1599, fax 021 863 1552 or e-mail admin@veritas.co.za.
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Photographs: Russ Wingfield