Hugely anticipated, winning wineries congregated to celebrate their respective victories. With cool jazz and hot wines, winemakers enjoyed a stream of plated canapes before accepting their accolades and winning certificates. Thereafter all Double Gold and Gold medal winning wines were introduced and made available to taste, rocketing the festive mood still further.
The inaugural Ultra Value Wine Challenge attracted strong support from a large range of stellar producers. Collectively they entered almost 500 carefully selected wines that met the strict price category of sub R100, VAT included.
Robin von Holdt reviewed the 2015 Challenge: ‘We are enamoured with the enthusiasm displayed towards this most relevant of wine categories – that of value. Tough economic times are certainly here and we must be mindful of many consumers reducing ability to spend freely. This is a growth sector, thus a hugely enticing arena in which to outperform through a combination of quality wine at attractive prices.
The support that we received was terrifically healthy, with almost 500 wines entered by leading vineyards and producers. The lead up with #Frugalfridayfeasts and #Throwbackthursdays became instant media hits with consumer, who tuned in early with loads of positive energy.
The rigour of wine assessment by the mainly new-wave judges under Ginette De Fleuriot’s chairmanship was as thrilling as it was compelling. The natural result was that a significant portion of wines simply did not get through that first, arduous, hurdle. Then, the algorithm that took price into account in order to arrive at the value-adjusted final result, saw another substantial number of wines fall by the way. Thus, the victories are sweet for those wines that cracked the final nod, very real wins indeed. This is an unquestionably solid set of tangible results, as confirmed by the independent Auditors. Only 6% of wines gained Double Gold awards. 17% gained Gold Medal awards, while 36% gained Silver Medal awards. Awards were without any doubt whatsoever very difficult to achieve: They were hard earned, thus deserving the strong recognition and attention that they will receive.
Our thanks go to all supporters and our congratulations of course go to all 2015/16 winners.’
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