Muskadel SA Awards 2017 – Third win for Orange River Cellars

Friday, 26 May, 2017
Muskadel SA
The 15th annual Muskadel SA Awards function, sponsored by Enartis SA, was held at Noop, Paarl on 25 May. Amongst 23 entries, five more than in 2016, Orange River Cellars from the Northern Cape was triumphant for the third consecutive year winning two platinum awards.

Orange River Cellars White Muskadel 2016, as well as their Red Muscadel 2016 both, received platinum awards - Muskadel SA Awards’ highest accolade adding to ORC’s already stocked Muskadel SA Awards cabinet having previously won five platinum and two gold awards since 2013.

The Breederivier Valley was well represented by Du Toitskloof Cellar with their Du Toitskloof Cellar Red Muscadel 2014 being awarded platinum a second year running.  This 100% Muscat de Frontignan with a plain, yet striking label and excellent aging potential is a definite must for the cold winter nights ahead.

Alvi’s Drift Wines from Worcester was the fourth wine to be awarded platinum at this year’s awards for their Alvi’s Drift Premium 2014.

Other winners

Two cellars situated on the R60 between Worcester and Robertson was awarded gold; Nuy Winery for their Nuy Rooi Muskadel 2012 and Rooiberg Cellar for their Rooiberg Rooi Muskadel 2014.

Another winner from the Northern Cape is Landzicht GWK Wines who took home gold for their Landzicht Red Muscadel 2016.

Boplaas from Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo rounds up the top performers with gold for the third consecutive year, this time for their Boplaas Heritage Collection 2014.

Judging

Tasted blind, the wines are judged and scored according to a tried and tested points system. The uniqueness of the packaging also contributes to the final points tally and often means the difference between a gold or platinum award. Consumers can identify winning Muscats by the Gold or Platinum Muskadel SA stickers on the bottle.

The five judges for this year were Dave Biggs (wine writer and founder member of the Wine-of-the-month Club), Hans Lösch (previously Monis, now Columbit South Africa), Cerina van Niekerk (winemaker), Raymond Noppé (Cape Wine Master) and Nina Mari Bruwer (Cape Wine Master).

From the Muskadel SA office

Henri Swiegers, the chairperson of Muskadel SA, says the quality of entries was exceptionally high this year, seeing that four platinum and four gold awards were awarded.

“During my ten years as chairperson of Muskadel SA we have recently started seeing a lot more delicate and lighter styled wines opposed to the traditional raison-heavy muscats. Packaging has evolved from the traditional sweet wine bottle to more elegant packaging. There are cellars that put a lot of effort into their labels which adds to the face of muscadel wine in South Africa,” says Swiegers.

Sponsors

Enartis SA has sponsored the Muskadel SA Association for the last 10 years. 

“Part of our vision at Enartis is to give back to the industry that has supported us over the years.  We see our financial support as a token of appreciation rather than a marketing opportunity,” says Jaco Cockrell, sales manager at Enartis SA.

For more information contact Henri Swiegers at +27.82 829 6010 or winemaker@badsberg.co.za.

 

Muskadel SA 2017 Platinum and Gold Winners

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Double Platinum winner Chris Venter (Orange River Cellars)
Double Platinum winner Chris Venter (Orange River Cellars)

Platinum Winners: Alvi van der Merwe (Alvi's Drift) Chris Venter (ORC) Tiaan Loubser (DuToitskloof)
Platinum Winners: Alvi van der Merwe (Alvi's Drift) Chris Venter (ORC) Tiaan Loubser (DuToitskloof)

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