IN one of the biggest upsets in the wine world to date, the University of Cape Town beat perennial favourites Stellenbosch to take top honours in the 2011 Backsberg Vino Varsity Wine-tasting Competition.
The resounding nature of UCT’s victory added to the awe-inspiring result as the Capetonians won two of the contest’s three legs, drawing the third with Stellenbosch who this year had to contend with the runners-up jug. Newcomers Rhodes University from Grahamstown was third.
This year’s Backsberg Vino Varsity comprised three legs: a blind wine-tasting to identify styles, regions, varieties and faults, a general knowledge section and a presentation in which each team chose a grape variety they perceived to be South Africa’s vinous calling card.
Choosing Chenin Blanc, UCT put on a scintillating display of presentation skills, clarity of thought and touches of apt humour. They also deftly handled the questions put to them by the three judges including wine legend Dave Hughes.
