This years Old Mutual Trophy Awards presentation was held on Tuesday, 4th June 2019 at the Mount Nelson Hotel. The results are now out and you can look at all of them on https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/2019-results/ . Fewer awards this year, but some great surprises and one rather well deserved and emotional trophy
Ms Thobile Tshabalala, Head of Brand for Old Mutual and sponsors of the Old Mutual Trophy competition. She told us she has become a wine convert since she has been involved with the show. No longer does she drink Catembas - red wine and Cola - she now has a taste for fine wines. Old Mutual recognises the impact the wine industry has on our economy
The starter was delicious. A small, warm twice baked asparagus and cheddar cheese soufflé with a good sufficiency of tender dill cured sea trout, served with a horseradish cream and some spears of fresh asparagus with some salad leaves. There were good crisp rolls on the table to go with this
Winemaker Mick Craven of Mulderbosch with Anthea Eedes, who presented him with the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc. Mulderbosch also won the Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy and Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall: Mulderbosch Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc Block 2017. Cellarmaster Adam Mason could not be present on the day, sadly
Dessert was a Green Apple Delice with layers of cake, cream, nuts, coconut and almond paste, a sliver of green Pistachio cake, and was topped with a Guava and Vanilla ice cream on apple. The very sweet dessert was accompanied by two classics, Miles Mossop's 2017 Kika and the KWV Classic Collection Cape Tawny Dessert Wine NV (this had some age!)
Michael Fridjhon with a delighted and rather emotional Jeremy Borg of Painted Wolf Wines with his Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy for the Best Producer Overall. We also had a tear in our eye. This award has been long coming and is so deserved. Jeremy also received Trophies for his 94 point Painted Wolf Black Pack Mourvèdre 2017 and 94 point Painted Wolf Roussanne 2018. If you read our Feedback report, we mentioned that the judges had said there were both an excellent Mourvedre and a Roussanne that they had tasted; now we know that they came from - the same talented winemaker
All the proud Trophy winners - formal
and joyous!
And we didn't forget about the hard workers, to whom we say a sincere thank you for a very well organised event: Janice Fridjhon, Alex Mason Gordon, and out of picture Tarryn Vincent & Monica Mountjoy. Packing up to get ready for the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show Public tasting to be held in Johannesburg next Wednesday at the Sandton Convention Centre and in Cape Town on the 20th of June at the CTICC. Tickets are available on WebTickets
The table seating plan
The wines served at the function were the Silver medallists and we were welcomed with two MCCs: the very fine Noble Hill Blanc de Blanc and the Quoin Rock Black Series. We were pleased to see the sparkling wines being served in proper Riedel wine glasses, which allow a better appreciation of the wine, and not the narrow flutes, which fell out of favour internationally years ago
Crisp and sparkly deliciousness lined up on the bar
Getting our badges on entry
Francois Rautenbach of Singita, who was a judge again this year, and Jeremy Borg of Painted Wolf Wines in discussion
Michael Crossley, Michael Fridjhon and John Skotnes
A bunch of wine makers, each hopeful of a high award, and many did receive them
Canapés were served. Sago crackers with lamb kitfo (raw lamb) and Trout tartare on cauliflower latkes
Blaauwklippen winemaker Narina Cloete (who was one of the judges) and winemaker Cobus van Zyl of Neethlingshof
Lunch and the awards ceremony were held in the Planet Restaurant
The Trophies on display
Michael Fridjhon begins the formal part of the day
The Gold Medal awards were presented and the recipients photographed with their certificates
The luncheon menu
The starter was delicious. A small, warm twice baked asparagus and cheddar cheese soufflé with a good sufficiency of tender dill cured sea trout, served with a horseradish cream and some spears of fresh asparagus with some salad leaves. There were good crisp rolls on the table to go with this
The main course was a tender grilled beef sirloin, with a mushroom wrapped oxtail sausage
- very flavourful on a cauliflower puree with baby rainbow carrots and tender young green beans
John's was served without the wrapping of mushrooms
JC Le Roux Winemaker Andiswa Mapheleba, who was at our table,
with the Old Mutual Trophy for Best Museum class Sparkling Wine: the 2011 Desiderius Pongràcz
with the Old Mutual Trophy for Best Museum class Sparkling Wine: the 2011 Desiderius Pongràcz
Also at our table was winemaker Lutske Doubell of D'Aria who received the Trophy for Best Museum Class:
Sauvignon Blanc D'Aria The Songbird Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Winemaker JD Rossouw of Wildeberg (previously Boutinot) received the Trophy for Best Semillon: Wildeberg White 2018
This is quite an award for a new farm in Franschhoek that is still planting its grapes. The wine was sourced from another Franschhoek estate. Definitely one to watch. He was also at our exciting table. We love to sit with winners!
And we also had with us Glen Carlou winemaker Johnnie Calitz, awarded a Gold Medal for his Glen Carlou 2017 Syrah
And then, after dessert, it was time for the final awards:
Old Mutual Trophy for Best White Wine Overall: Mulderbosch Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc Block 2017
and they also took the Old Mutual International Judges’ Trophy for the same wine
Old Mutual Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall: Kruger Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Old Mutual Trophy for Discovery of the Show: Best Value Gold Medallist Bonnievale Barrel Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Old Mutual Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall: Painted Wolf Wines
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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