Friday, July 15, 2022

The Trophy Wine Show 2022


It was so good to be back to cover the Trophy Wine Show 2022 after two years of Covid and Zoom meetings. This year, Investec became the headline sponsor of the wine industry’s most prestigious wine competition – The Trophy Wine Show. The partnership unites Investec’s “Out of the Ordinary” approach to client service with the competition’s commitment to identifying South Africa’s best wines. It was held in the impressive Cape Town offices of Investec on the Foreshore

It is one of South Africa’s premier wine competitions, "identifying the very best Cape wines, recognising the achievements of the country’s winemakers, and honouring excellence in the wine industry." 673 wines were entered this year. The panel comprises three international and eight local judges covering a broad range of wine tasting experience, expertise and working with a 100-point scoring system. The overseas judges this year were: Eric Goettelmann (France), Anthony Mueller (USA). Anthony Rose (UK) and the local judges were: Tongai Joseph Dhafana, Heidi Duminy CWM, Spencer Fondaumiere, Gynore Fredericks, Patson Mathonsi, JD Pretorius, François Rautenbach & Cathy van Zyl MW. Click on this link to view their biographies

https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/judges/judges-2022/

After checking in at reception we were warmly welcomed by a smiling Janice Fridjhon of Outsorceress Marketing

We went through to the Investec terrace, which faces the docks, to enjoy their impressive view

and, on the left, a view of our Stadium and the flyover into Town from the Atlantic seaboard
Yes, it is unfinished, bad planning by a previous government, and no, it is unlikely ever to be finished

A happy Michael Fridjhon
The show has been chaired by leading wine authority Michael Fridjhon since the inception of the show in 2002
Consistency driven by the competition’s unique judging methodology
delivers an intriguing predictability in terms of who gains access to the podium

Time for hugs and catching up with members of the wine industry
It was so great to see them all and to hear the stories of how people coped with harvests,
impossible government regulations, sales and Covid

Then it was time to go in for lunch and the award ceremony, which takes place in stages between courses

A welcoming glass of one of three top Cap Classiques

On offer were Durbanville Hills Blanc de Blanc, Paul René from Robertson
and L'Ormarins Blanc de Blancs from Antonij Rupert Wines in Franschhoek

Everyone catching up. The clue is, if you have been invited, you have won something. Unless you are media!

The menu

These were some of the wines we could taste with lunch
We had a superb waiter who went and fetched several that we requested
(mostly, we chose wines that we hadn't tasted before)
and he often brought an alternative as well
Of special note were the Louisvale Chardonnay, Cilmor Chenin Blanc,
KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc, and The Mentors Orchestra. The Warwick Cabernet Franc 2014 was superb

Lynne chatting to our special waiter, whose name was Fareed

The dream team who organise the show so ably: Alex Mason-Gordon, Monica Mountjoy, Janice and Michael Fridjhon

Michael Fridjhon begins the awards
These achievements speak for themselves but,
when seen in the context of the competition’s traditional low medal counts, they count a great deal
 673 wines were entered into The Trophy Wine Show 2022
Of this number only 29 won gold medals. Of the gold medallists, 20 won trophies
In addition, 133 Silver and 346 bronze medals were awarded. To see the complete results, click on this link https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/winners-and-results/

We were shown a video of the judges tasting and the trophies were on a table in front
Here, Cathy van Zyl is tasting a selection of white wines
The competition was described by Jancis Robinson MW OBE (Judge in 2003 and 2007)
as possibly the toughest of its kind in the world
Kirk Bauer (The 2019 international judge from Germany) commented:
“With the composition of the jury – a combination of winemakers, sommeliers, distributors and international judges –
it is a perfect set-up for the competition to deliver reliable results and reliable recommendations to the consumers
The Trophy judging process is very precise and very democratic”

Jerome Passmore, Regional Head of the Western Cape branch of Investec Private Bank,
said that the competition celebrates the excellence of our local wine industry
and their presence on the international stage

The starter was excellent. Soft and flavourful, gnocchi in a burnt butter sauce, on a rich cauliflower purée,
with wild mushrooms, toasted pine nuts and a green herb oil, topped with a parmesan crisp

John's was, as requested, without the mushrooms and had tomato added

The wines that impressed, as we tasted them with the starter were, first, KWV The Mentors 2020 Grenache Blanc
Full on the nose and palate, with vanilla oak then pure elegance and clean and steely minerality,
green English gooseberries, quince and white peach, the flavours come in layers
Then, Vergelegen GVB 2015, a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon,
has lots of wood and good fruit, and will last even longer
Louisvale 2021 Chardonnay was spicy, and full of golden fruit, lime, lemon and long flavours


Time for the gold medal presentations. Here, Nathan Valentine collects one for Villiera Monro Brut 2015

Quintin van der Westhuizen
Cilmor Winemaker’s Selection Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021

Kiara Scott
Gold Medal for Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020
So good to see her getting an award after our recent visit to Brookdale 

A J Nel
Gold Medal for Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021

Carla van Wyk
Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2019

Always ready with the next award, Alex Mason-Gordon

Christo Kotze
La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2021

Martin Moore
Durbanville Hills Collectors 2020 Reserve

Juandre Bruwer
Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2020

The main course of very tender lamb shank arriving. We were so impressed with the quick service and the food
The waiting staff were very professional; helpful and friendly too

Red wines to pair with the main course

The Antonij Rupert 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon has perfume and incense wood on the nose, tight tannins,
dark berries, salty licorice and long flavours, ending with a tread of lime, all pointing to a long life
Warwick 2014 Cabernet Franc, long a favourite, so good to taste an older one
It has that dive-in nose, good expensive wood and spice
Soft sweet fruit initially, then that opens up to reveal layers of flavour with cherry, dates, prunes and some savoury umami
Soft tannins, and good wood on the end. Both paired well

A selection of dessert wines

John Skotnes designed the Trophies

Alex with the trophy table

and then it was time to award the trophies

Philip Viljoen
Sowetan Trophy for Best Cap Classique
Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve Cap Classique 2013

Colin Frith
Sunday Times Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Unwooded)

Vanessa Mead
Financial Mail Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2017

Jamie Williams
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
Nederburg Two Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Wooded)
Trophy for Best Museum Class Dessert Wine
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012 

Sjaak Nelson
Trophy for Best Niche White
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2021

Ryan Puttick
Investec Trophy for Best Semillon
Old Road Grandmère Semillon 2018

R J Botha
Trophy for Best Museum Class Chenin Blanc
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013

Anthea Eedes presented the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020
to Anton Swarts, who also received the Investec Trophy for Best Merlot
Spier Woolworths Signature Series Merlot 2018
and Investec Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall, Spier Wine Farm

Rosa Kruger presented the Rosa Kruger Trophy for Best Old Vine Wine to Kiara Scott for
Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020

Renowned viticulturist Rosa Kruger and Michael Fridjhon having a moment together


Andries Burger
Miele Trophy for Best Chardonnay, Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall
Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2020

Christiane von Arnim, Trophy for Best Pinotage
Warwick The First Lady Pinotage 2020

Johnnie Calitz
received the Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend from Michael Crossley
as well as the Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine and Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall
Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019

Julia Blaine, Assistant Winemaker at Louisvale Wine Estate
Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Louisvale Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Business Day Trophy for Best Shiraz
Ghost in the Machine Shiraz 2020 (The Drift Estate)
The award was collected by Drift Estate Farm manager Jason Snell

Morne Vrey
Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2019

Annemi Nel
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cape Port
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012

The dessert was phenomenal and so was the fact that they made hot chocolate fondants
for such a large crowd which were all perfectly melting inside

A J Nel
Investec Trophy for Discovery of the Show – Best Value Gold Medallist
MAN Skaapveld Syrah 2020

Nic van Aarde
Gold Medal and Investec International Judges’ Trophy
Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021


The Gold Medal winners

and the Trophy winners



Here is the complete list of results:

All the Trophy Winners

Investec Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall
Spier Wine Farm

Miele Trophy for Best Chardonnay, Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall

Paul Cluver Estate Chardonnay 2020

Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-style Red Blend, Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine, Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall
Glen Carlou Collection Red Blend 2019

Investec Trophy for Discovery of the Show – Best Value Gold Medallist
MAN Skaapveld Syrah 2020

Investec International Judges’ Trophy
Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021

Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Louisvale Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Sowetan Trophy for Best Cap Classique
Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve Cap Classique 2013

Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2019

Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
Spier Woolworths Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2020

Rosa Kruger Trophy for Best Old Vine Wine
Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020

Sunday Times Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Trade Winds Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Unwooded)

Financial Mail Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Highlands Road Sine Cera 2017

Business Day Trophy for Best Shiraz
Ghost in the Machine Shiraz 2020 (The Drift Estate)

Trophy for Best Niche White
Jordan The Real McCoy Riesling 2021

Investec Trophy for Best Semillon
Old Road Grandmére Semillon 2018

Investec Trophy for Best Merlot
Spier Woolworths Signature Series Merlot 2018

Trophy for Best Pinotage
Warwick The First Lady Pinotage 2020

Trophy for Best Museum Class Cape Port
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012

Trophy for Best Museum Class Chenin Blanc
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2013

Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
Nederburg Two Centuries Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Wooded)

Trophy for Best Museum Class Dessert Wine
Nederburg Private Bin Eminence Noble Late Harvest Muscadel 2012 

Gold Medal Winners

Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2021

Brookdale Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard 2020

Cilmor Winemaker’s Selection Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2021

Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2020

Durbanville Hills Collectors 2020 Reserve

The Castle of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon

Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Méthode Cap Classique 2015

La Vierge Jezebelle Chardonnay 2021

Lievland Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021

MAN Skaapveld Syrah 2020

Oldenburg Chardonnay 2021

Villiera Monro Brut 2015

Vrede en Lust Kogelberg Chenin Blanc 2019

The complete list of medal winners can be seen HERE

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