The State of Play – the Trophy Wine Show and the Cape wine industry
Images from the judging 15 – 18 May
Renowned British wine writer and judge Jancis Robinson OBE, MW told us that she really enjoyed this tasting
Anne Krebiehl MW
German-born but London-based, Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. She is the contributing editor for Austria, Alsace, Burgundy and England for US Wine Enthusiast and also writes for trade and consumer wine publications such as The World of Fine Wine, Decanter, The Buyer, Falstaff and Vinum. She said that she echoed what had been said. She tasted 32 Sauvignons Blanc and found translucent, fresh and bright wines. A proper cross section of what there is and at price points that sell well. Without exception, they were made correctly and this means that they are popular around the world. No faulty wines, lots of freshness. It is the most successful variety in the world with levels of purchase up but, here in SA, there is less and less vineyard acreage. She thinks that we should make not obvious, but subtle styles, forget fine wine quality. There was one unoaked gold. Add oak to Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blends with oak; now we are talking. Alluring and exciting over the years, there are world class wines in this class. Niche whites were exciting, such as Vermentino and Picpoul. She is pleased to see these grapes given a chance in the changing climate. They are used to sun and dryness. With Mediterranean varies like Verdelho she is finding the future here exciting; they bring diversity and a have a lot to contribute. The Merlot category was challenging, lots of alcohol. And, boy, was the Pinotage hard work. She found that the beautiful and subtle, translucent and elegant style is the way to go. She was very pleased with the Cap Classique class. Lots to compute and celebrate and deliberate. She is so pleased with the style that it is intense, exciting and serious
Cabernet was well managed, especially in oaking, with very little oxidation. There were 30 entries. The Pinot Noir class entries were not in the same class as other wines
Michael Fridjhon commented that the show is discovering talent. Competition is tough with people who hold on to old glory while newer producers are taking their place. We must pay attention to the benchmarks of the industry and where the industry is going to, rather than where it has been
Benjamin Roffet has been the Head Sommelier at the Eiffel Tower restaurant Jules Verne since 2019
He says the future for our industry looks bright. The changes in the wine industry here are fast while in France they are slooow. We have wines with more personality. In the Chenin Class he found wines with salinity, minerality, purity of fruit and good expression. Bordeaux blends were challenging, with over-extraction, too much wood, but then some wines with personality were showing what it could become. Rose was a well-made style, but we do need more food-friendly roses which are spicier, fuller. Niche reds are a category to look at. Grenache was stunning. It is amazing to see how the SA wine industry is doing
Heidi Duminy CWM, Principal of the Cape Wine Academy, said that Cap Classique is responding,
possibly there is growth in the sector;
there is hard evidence that Blanc de blanc Chardonnay styles are rising to the top. It became successful when it stopped trying to be Champagne. There is so much more to consider; wines are more confident and astute. There were 39 Cap Classiques entered and the various styles were judged together. Some were exquisite. Pinotage has so much diversity. Comparing the old school style and the new, which is instantly likeable with attractive sweet fruit. The old school style has bold tannins masking the character, with dominating oak
Mandla Patson Mathonsi. Regional Sales Manager at Spier Wine Farm, has been a senior judge since 2019
On day 3, they tasted 73 Cabernet Sauvignons. There was one gold in the Museum class, a 2018 which was clean and fresh
said that Chenin blanc was a pleasure to judge
Gynore Hendricks • Associate Winemaker at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines
This is her second year as a judge. She saw a vast improvement in quality. Shiraz was impressive, not many over ripe, over extracted wines, now many fine in style. He Bordeaux Blends class is now completely different from two years ago. You can recognise the winemakers and cultivars. Niche reds, particularly Cinsault and Malbec, impressed with the most exciting well made, well integrated and well managed wines
said that the overseas judges bring so much to the tasting and make us learn new things
Janice Fridjhon of Outsorceress Marketing is the head of the seamlessly efficient organising team
Angela Lloyd asking a question after the feedback session
When the feedback session was over, we were invited to have a buffet lunch and taste some wines in the foyer
A mixed selection to go with the food
Two of our favourites
Mushroom risotto
A vegetarian option
Rice paper rolls
The competition results will be released at a lunch at Delaire Graff on Thursday 8th February
and there will be public tastings in Johannesburg and Cape Town on Details here: https://www.trophywineshow.co.za/diary-of-events/
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