This annual competition, where entered South African
wines are judged by visiting and local French sommeliers and wine people, is
always an interesting occasion which gives insight into what the French palate
prefers. There were some very notable winners, some predictable, some not at
all. Perhaps if more local farms entered, we might get a broader spectrum of
wines in the competition? We believe that 200 wines were entered
The Award ceremony was held at the Taj Cape Town’s new
five-star banqueting venue, The Reserve. Trophy winners, media, judges and
distinguished guests attended and some tickets were sold to the public. The
judges were Olivier Poels, editor and managing partner of La Revue du Vin de
France and wine commentator for Europe 1 radio; Olivier Poussier, best
sommelier in the world winner, wine consultant, writer and group sommelier of
Lenôtre; Claude Gilois, well-known French wine writer, consultant and wine
blogger; Thierry Germain, proprietor of Domaine des Roches Neuves, Saumur; Christophe
Durand, Taj Classic Wine Trophy organizer and proprietor of Dorrance Wines;
Tatiana Marcetteau, sommelier at Taj Cape Town; Stephane Duvernes, proprietor
of wine distributor Les Chais St Laurent, Paris ; Germain Lehodey, sommelier of
Mosaic restaurant; Xavier Didier, former sommelier at Tantris, Munich; Jerome
Faure, corporate sommelier Constance Hotels and Resorts, Mauritius; and Todd
Ramsey from Marram wine Importers, Canada
Bubbly
and White Wine
·
Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV
·
Boutinot Mon Vieux Sauvignon Blanc
2014
·
Delaire Graff White Blend 2012
·
De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
·
Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2014
·
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay
2014
Red
Wine
·
Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2012
·
Groot Constantia Pinotage 2013
·
Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2012
·
Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon
2012
·
Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket
Press Syrah 2013
·
Boschkloof Epilogue Shiraz 2012
·
Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
·
Morgenster 2001
·
Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/
Petit Verdot 2011
·
Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
The
prize for the Most Iconic Entry of 2015 was awarded to Groot Constantia and
winemaker Boela Gerber walked away with a pair of new barriques sponsored by
distinguished coopers Tonnellerie Claude Gillet and Tonnellerie Darnajou.
In addition, a local judging panel then decided which of the trophy
winners presented the best overall value to patrons of the Taj Cape Town and
readers of GQ South Africa.
· Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV - R54.99
from Ultra
· De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
- R225 on the farm Current release 2013
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay
2014 - R305 Wine.co.za. Current release 2013
· Groot Constantia Merlot 2013 - R174 on
the farm
· Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/
Petit Verdot 2011 - R150 on the farm
Saronsberg Full Circle 2012 - R341 at
Caroline’s Fine Wines
The
welcome outside the new venue The Reserve on St Georges Mall
Jeanri-Tine van
Zyl in the
impressive entrance. This used to be a city bank
Collecting
name badges then a glass of something bubbly
Parma
ham on melon canapés
It's
a cool shade of lime green
Into
the banqueting hall (It was the banking hall)
The
selection of wines did give us clues as to what might have won awards. In fact, we could taste all of them with dinner
Michael
Pownall, Taj Cape Town General Manager, chatting to Boela Gerber, winemaker at Groot Constantia
Christophe
Durand, Taj Classic Wine Trophy organizer and proprietor of Dorrance Wines,
opens proceedings
The
menu
The
yellowfin tuna tartare was beautifully creamy and buttery
Willem
du Toit, Food and Beverage Director of the Taj Cape Town
Lots
of guests tasting the wines and enjoying the food
A
rather fatty lamb Wellington. Not sure which cut they used, but it wasn't the
loin
Time
to announce the awards
Germain Lehodey,
sommelier of Mosaic restaurant talks about the judging
Dessert
was an almond flour financier with granny smith apple and calvados sorbet. Very
delicious
Georgie
Prout collects the award for Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2014
Boela
Gerber of Groot Constantia with his four impressive awards
Petit
fours were passed around with coffee and we were still enjoying the wines
The
Petit four tray
Gottfried Mocke received an award for his
Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2012
Boela looking very happy at his stack
of awards. Next to him is PRO Emile Joubert
Celebrate!
Germain Lehodey and Michael Pownall
The Vault venue in the basement
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment