Local cellars shine at Trophy Wine Show
2010-05-27
TOKARA, regarded for some time as one of South Africa’s premier cellars, celebrated the tenth anniversary of its first bottling by winning the trophy for the Most Successful Producer at the 2010 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. In a substantial leap from its fifth position overall in 2009, Tokara finished a considerable distance ahead of its nearest competitor by winning trophies for its Director’s Reserve White 2008 (best white wooded blend), Pinotage 2007 (best Pinotage) and museum class Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, as well as two silver awards. The result was a personal triumph for winemaker Miles Mossop and his colleague, viticulturist Aidan Morton, both of whom have been with Tokara since 2000. Chamonix secured second position in the top producer rankings with two trophies, followed by Rijk’s Private Cellar (best Chenin Blanc) and then KWV in fourth position (Best Semillon: The Mentors 2009). The trophy for Best Museum Class Wooded Chardonnay went to the Chamonix Reserve Chardonnay 2005, with the cellar also winning the trophy for Best Pinot Noir. The trophy for Best Sparkling Wine was awarded to the Anura Brut 2008 and the trophy for best Malbec went to the Vrede en Lust Mocholate Malbec 2009. The Just Riesling Trophy was won this year by Klein Constantia while the Best Niche White Variety Trophy was presented to Feiteiras Vineyards for a Verdelho. The Dunstone winery in Wellington won a gold medal for their 2008 Shiraz - one of only 31 gold medals awarded. A noteworthy feature of this year’s show was the strong showing in museum classes, where seven of a total of 39 entries won gold medals, of which six were trophies. Museum class entries must be at least four years old – in the case of white wines – and at least eight years old in all other categories. This result suggests that Cape wines are capable of considerable improvement in the bottle and contradicts what has been conventional wisdom up to now. Co-convenor of the competition (together with Wine magazine) and Chairman of the Judges, Michael Fridjhon comments: “The clear signs of an overall quality improvement at the top of the wine market – which we have seen for some time and on which we commented last year – continue to dominate these results. “The pleasing improvement in Pinotage – long regarded as one of the least consumer-friendly categories – suggests that producers have taken to heart some of the criticism previously voiced about fruit handling. “The wealth of medals – especially among the younger vintages – in the Shiraz class shows that producers are now coming to terms with the variety, and getting the most out of the more established vineyards.” Stephen Cahill, OMSA Marketing Director at Old Mutual comments: “Through the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, excellence is promoted in the local wine industry enabling international and local wine connoisseurs to pool their wisdom together for the benefit of South African consumers and winemakers”. The wines can be tasted tomorrow (Friday 28 May) from 17:00 to 20:00 at the Jasminium and Clivia Rooms at the CTICC. Tickets will be sold at the door at R120 per person. Bookings can be made via Computicket by telephoning 083-915-8000 or online on www.computicket.com.
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