The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show judging panel comprises three international and six local judges covering a broad range of expertise and working with a 100-point scoring system. The panel has been chaired by leading wine authority Michael Fridjhon since the inception of the show in 2002
The participation
of a team of associate panelists, drawn from the pool of rising South African
wine-making, wine marketing and wine-writing talent, ensures that the next
generation of the country’s wine judges gains experience in this most rigorous
of environments.
· Michael
Fridjhon
Show Chairman
Show Chairman
Chairman of the
judges at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Author, co-author and contributor to
a number of wine books including The Oxford Companion to Wine, The Global Wine
Encyclopaedia, and Platter’s South African Wine Guide. Recipient of the
Chevalier de l’Ordre du Merite Agricole (France). Judge at numerous
competitions including the Australian National Wine Show, the Six Nations Wine
Challenge (Australia) as well as benchmark tastings in France, the United
States, Chile and South Africa. First international co-chairman of the
International Wine Challenge (2007). Visiting Professor of Wine Business at the
University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business and head of the Wine
Judging Academy run in association with the University of Cape Town’s Graduate
School of Business. Winner of the Louis Roederer International Wine Columnist of
the Year award (2012).
Neil
Beckett
International Judge
Neil Beckett holds a first class honours degree in English and
Medieval History (University of St Andrews, Scotland), a doctorate in Medieval
History (Magdalen College, Oxford) and completed an MBA with a dissertation on
White Burgundy. He was a Centenary Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
(University of London), worked at Lay & Wheeler wine merchants and took top
prize in the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma, before going on to Harpers
Wine & Spirit Weekly. In 2004 he became the first editor of The
World of Fine Wine, a British quarterly publication for wine
enthusiasts and collectors, which won the Louis Roederer Award for
International Wine Publication of the Year all three years the title was
awarded (2012 to 2014). He also edited the seven titles in the Finest Wines book series, published by University
of California Press, and 1001 Wines to Try Before You
Die. Beckett is a member of the Grand Jury Européen and was a judge
for the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show in 2007.
Eduardo
Brethauer
International Judge: Chile
Based in Santiago, Eduardo Brethauer is an independent wine
writer and taster. He studied wine marketing at the University of Viña
del Mar and is a former journalist for the Chilean wine industry. Owner
and wine editor at Vitis Magazine, Chile’s only technical magazine, he is
author of the popular guide Vinos con Cuento and is a member of The Circle of Wine
Writers and Cronistas Gastronómicos de Chile. With the objective
of raising interest in wines from less prominent regions of the world,
Brethauer is the founder of Vignadores de Carignan, an association of producers
that reintroduces viticultural traditions of more than four centuries in Maule
Valley. Judge at several international wine competitions including the Six
Nations Wine Challenge.
Heidi
Mäkinen
International Judge: UK
Finnish-born 29
year-old Heidi Mäkinen is one of the top ten sommeliers in the world, having
been placed eighth in the 2016 Best Sommelier of the World Contest. A meteoric
career trajectory has seen her advance from 3rd place in the National Young
Sommelier Competition in 2010 to first place in that competition and Best
Sommelier in Finland in 2015. She is presently a senior sommelier at private
members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall in London. A WSET Level 4 (with merit) diploma
recipient, Mäkinen is also currently a Master of Wine student.
· Narina Cloete
SA Judge
Winemaker at
Blaauwklippen Agricultural Estate. An Honours BSc Agriculture (Oenology) cum
laude graduate from Stellenbosch University. Completed harvests at Glen Carlou,
Dornier, AA Badenhorst Family Wines and Stellenzicht. Joined Quoin Rock Winery
in 2008 as assistant winemaker and was winemaker there from 2010 until 2014.
She has served on judging panels of South Africa’s Young Wine Show, FNB Top 10
Sauvignon Blanc, the new Cape Vintners Classification, Blaauwklippen Blending
Competition and Veritas Awards. Distinction graduate of the Michael Fridjhon
Wine Judging Academy in 2013 and attended the advanced Wine Judging Academy in
2014. Trophy Wine Show associate judge in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Heidi
Duminy CWM
SA Judge
Cape Wine Master
and wine communications specialist recognised for her particular expertise in
Champagne and sparkling wine. Formerly Group Communications manager for DGB,
Brand Manager for Veuve Clicquot and Krug and then Trade Marketing Manager of
the LVMH portfolio of Champagnes and spirits. Currently National Marketing
Manager for Meridian Wine Merchants. Chaired Classic Wine Magazine’s Cap
Classique panel and has judged sparkling wine for Veritas since 2011.
Associate judge at the Trophy Wine Show in 2012, 2014 and 2015 and judge in 2016.
Lectures for the Cape Wine Academy and writes and presents under HeidiVine
Communications. Distinction graduate of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging
Academy in 2011 and Advanced Wine Judging Academy attendee in 2014.
Christian
Eedes
SA Judge
Co-owner and editor of Winemag.co.za, freelance wine writer contributing to
Decanter and other titles on an occasional basis. He completed a small-scale
winemaking programme run by Stellenbosch University’s Department of Viticulture
and Oenology and is a graduate of the inaugural Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging
Academy. Further experience includes judging for the Old Mutual Trophy Wine
Show (2007 to 2014 and 2016) and Platter’s South African Wine Guide in addition
to various other local and international competitions.
·
Nkulu
Mkhwanazi
SA Judge
Durban-based wine
educator and KZN wine ambassador for Creation Wines, Crystallum, Remhoogte,
Gabriëlskloof and Oldenburg. Chaired the UCT Wine Society in 2005. In 2009
founded the 031 Wine Society. Founded the Shamase Wine Corp and the
Johannesburg Wine Series (monthly themed tastings) in 2010. Chairman of the
Highway Wine Society, Durban’s oldest wine club, since July 2014. Judge at the
RECM 10 Year Old Wine Awards in 2013. Graduated with distinction from the
Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2011 and attended the Advanced Wine
Judging Academy in 2014. Completed a certificate in small scale winemaking from
the University of Stellenbosch in 2015 and WSET Level 3 in 2016. Trophy
Wine Show associate judge from 2011 to 2014 and judge in 2015 and 2016.
James
Pietersen
SA Judge
SA Portfolio
Manager for Wine Cellar. Previously Head Sommelier for the Slick Restaurant
Group and a former wine buyer for the Vineyard Connection. Graduated with
distinction at the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2007 and attended
the Advanced Wine Judging Academy in 2014. A taster for Platter’s South African
Wine Guide and Winemag.co.za panelist. A previous board member of SASA (South
African Sommelier Association). Trophy Wine Show judge in 2008, 2009 and
from 2012 until 2015.
François
Rautenbach
SA Judge
Heads up the
‘Singita Premier Wine Direct’ programme for Singita Game Reserves, sourcing and
supplying wines for the Singita properties in Southern and East Africa. Deeply
invested in hospitality having lived and worked in Africa, France, U.K. and
Australia – always with emphasis on food and wine excellence. Cape Wine
Academy Diploma graduate. Graduated with distinction at the Michael
Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy in 2008, served as associate judge at the Trophy
Wine Show that year and has been a senior judge at the show since 2011.
Attended the Michael Fridjhon Advanced Wine Judging Academy in 2014
Information supplied by the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show
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