Top 10 Sauvignons competition winners at Blaauwklippen

FNB’S TOP 10 SAUVIGNON BLANC COMPETITION DELIVERS CONSISTENCY AND CLASS

The winners of the 2013 FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc competition were revealed on Friday, 27th September, at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.  Held under the auspices of the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group of South Africa (SBIG) with sponsorship provided by FNB, this year's competition attracted a record number of 207 entries (compared with 195 in 2012)

The Sauvignon Blanc Top 10 competition was started in 2007 to promote innovation and excellence in the category, and reward those endeavouring to make wines of true distinction. 

Welcomed by music; the musicians were soon overwhelmed by chatter of arriving guests

Caprese canapés seem to be the fashion this year.  Another way of serving them

Gary Jordan with the serving team, who gave us glasses of Bramon MCC from the Southern Cape, which is made from Sauvignon Blanc

Mini onion tarts filled with lovely sweet caramelised onions

Organiser of this prestigious annual award, Pieter de Waal, Secretary of the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group

A very large group of winemakers, retailers and media awaits the announcements

We could vote for our own favourites by placing stickers on the card, over the names of the wines we liked most, and then submitting the card for a prize – an iPad. It did not affect the real voting, which had been done previously by the judges, but it did involve everyone in a very enjoyable way

Stephan Claassen of FNB tells us about their involvement and sponsorship

The spicy and Herbaceious category consisted of five wines : Alexanderfontein Chip off the Old Block 2013 – Winner Top 10; Cape Point Vineyards Woolworths 2012 – Winner Top 10;  Jordan 2013; Ormonde 2012; Virgin Earth The Pepper Tree 2013

and was paired with Spiced Seared Tuna loin with a fried kataifi wrapped prawn on a  lime aioli

This was the dish to go with the four Flinty and Mineral wines: Cape Point Vineyards Reserve 2012 – Winner Top 10; Cedarberg 2012; Hillcrest 2013; Thelema 2013 – Winner Top 10;. Served with  Grilled baby aubergine with babaganoush, salmon trout mousse and fennel pesto.  It badly needed bread, as aubergine on its own can be slightly slimy.  Good flavours with the wines though.

This hefty slice of smoked Norwegian Salmon with blackcurrant polenta and rosewater scented honey dressing (why?) was paired with the Lime, Green Melon and Grapefruit style wines: Cape of Good Hope Altima 2013 – Winner Top 10; Graham Beck Pheasants’ Run 2012; Nederburg Private Bin D234 2012 – Winner Top 10; Thelema Sutherland 2012 and the one Blackcurrant leaf, Elderberry and oak influence wine, Vrede and Lust Casey’s Ridge 2012

Pieter de Waal chatting to the media about the wines

Martin Moore, Cellarmaster at Durbanville Hills and Director of Distell Wines

The dish to match the Tropical and Yellow fruit style of Sauvignon was a very moist Chicken Ballotine with a melon salad and an orange blossom cream cheese. The Ballotine was stuffed with Quinoa, pinenuts, herbs and fruit. Wines were:  Boschendal Reserve Collection 2013 – Winner Top 10;  Durbanville Hills Rhinofields 2012; Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme 2013 – Winner Top 10; Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 20120 – Winner Top 10; Phizante Kraal 2013 – Winner Top 10; Sumaridge 2013

Charl Sandenbergh presented the awards

Journalist Christian Eedes, who was one of the Judges.

Pieter de Waal presents the award to the winning member of the audience whose preference was closest to the actual winners.

The ten 2013 FNB Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc competition winners: Alexanderfontein Chip Off The Old Block 2013, Boschendal Reserve Collection 2013, Cape of Good Hope Altima 2013, Cape Point Vineyards Reserve 2012, Cape Point Vineyards Woolworths 2012, Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme 2013, Kleine Zalze Family Reserve 2012, Nederburg Private Bin D234 2012, Phizante Kraal 2013, Thelema 2013

© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2013