This year’s Top 10 wines, in alphabetical order, are
- Almenkerk Sauvignon Blanc 2015
- Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (wooded)
- De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Hermanuspietersfontein Nr 5 Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (wooded)
- Jordan The Outlier Sauvignon Blanc 2015 (wooded)
- Ken Forrester Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015
- Merwida Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Nitida Golden Orb Sauvignon Blanc 2015
- Tokara Reserve Collection Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2016
- Uitkyk Sauvignon Blanc 2015
The competition, presented by the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group of South Africa (SBIG) and sponsored by FNB Business since 2007, is the country’s foremost platform for producers of this noble cultivar to showcase and benchmark their wines.
Stephan Claassen, FNB Business Provincial Head: Western and Eastern Cape Region congratulated the 2016 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 winners who stood out above the rest to showcase exceptional wine-making skills and talent, in a closely contested challenge.
“Every year, we celebrate and recognise excellence amongst local producers who have dedicated countless hours to perfecting their craft. Well done to all the winners for consistently striving to ensure that our locally produced Sauvignon Blanc cultivar is honoured internationally for its high quality and standards,” adds Claassen.
An esteemed panel of judges, representing various spheres of the industry, had the arduous task of evaluating 169 entries and whittling down the Sauvignon Blanc contenders to a mere 10 wines of true finesse and distinction. Neil Ellis, seasoned winemaker and family estate proprietor, acted as convenor of the Top 10 jury which included wine journalist, Christian Eedes, winemakers, Wilhelm Pienaar and Narina Cloete as well as Cape Wine Master, Winnie Bowman.
Wine lovers will be able to acquire the 2016 FNB Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 collection via Wine of the Month Club. For more information, contact SBIG at tel +27.218631599 or email admin@sauvignonblanc.com
Find the latest SBIG news on www.sauvignonblanc.com or stay connected on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Instagram for the latest news. Join the conversation using #SBIG #FNBTop10
2016 FNB SAUVIGNON BLANC TOP 10: CAPTION
Back from left to right: Francois Marais (FNB), Danie Keulder (Nitida), Kim McFarlane (Hermanuspietersfontein), Joris van Almenkerk (Almenkerk), Stephan Claassen (FNB), Lieza van der Merwe (Merwida), Riandri Visser (Cape Point Vineyards), Miles Mossop (Tokara), Charl Sandenbergh (FNB)
Front from left to right: Estelle Lourens (Uitkyk), Brentt Rhode (Ken Forrester), De Villiers Graaff (De Grendel), Sjaak Nelson (Jordan).
Photographer: Andrew Gorman