.: Shiraz SA Wine Challenge Awards Lunch and tasting at The Vineyard

Friday saw us at the Vineyard Hotel for this event, now in its second year. First, we were able to taste some of the shirazes which had entered the competition. The standard is amazingly high and we need to start taking bows for the quality and range of styles we are able to produce now. Overseas wine media and buyers are starting to see how good the wines are that we make from this grape. There were also several Shiraz blends to taste and the grape certainly brings a lot to these blends, softening edges and making more complete wines that can last or be enjoyed young and fruity

You too can taste these wines at the Shiraz Showcase, to be held at the Vineyard hotel on August 1st. The Hotel will be running a very good special with the tasting, dinner and a room afterwards with breakfast. Check out their web site www.vineyard.co.za.

Lynne talking to JC Martin of Creation

Reenen Borman of Boschkloof who had two absolutely amazing shirazes to taste: Boschkloof Louis 57 Syrah 2012 & Boschkloof Syrah 2012. Both deservedly won awards later

Tamsin (Tammy) Jaftha from Hartenberg, Sjaak Nelson from Jordan with their award winning shiraz The Prospector 2012, Louwritz Louw of KWV, and Raymond Noppé CWM of Oldenburg Vineyards

Kloovenberg produced a Brut Rosé sparkling from Shiraz

Johan Jordaan of Spier, Carolyn and JC Martin from Creation

Time to sit down for the awards. Master of Ceremonies was Steven von Schlicht of Orange River Cellars. That very nice new French oak barrel presented by the main event sponsor , French cooperage Berthomieu and was won, by lucky draw at the end of the evening, by Boschendal.

Roy Davies, General Manager of the Vineyard Hotel, who were also sponsors, tells us of the Shiraz Showcase to be held at the hotel on August 1st

The seated throng awaiting the awards

MC Steven von Schlicht announces the winners Click here to go to the awards list

Edmund Terblanche, Cellarmaster at La Motte and Shiraz SA chairman, asks why Shiraz is the most important Red variety in SA? Because it is the fastest planted red grape at the moment

The line up of glass trophies - Riedel decanters

Juvenal Cork SA CEO Johan Conradie, who represents the French cooperage company Tonnelerie Berthomieu Ermitage, sponsor of the competition

Cape Wine Master Dr Andy Rudiger - chairman of the judges

Sophia Warner of the Pebbles Project tells us about the important work done by this charity

Eikendal's Carisma gets a shiraz blend award

Riedel sponsored the beautiful Crystal Trophies (Not the glasses used at the tasting or dinner, which were not the shape or quality the industry is accustomed to using for tasting or drinking wine)