The Trophy Wine Show 2024 South African Awarded Wines
The 2024 Trophy Wine Show, brought to you by Investec, has once again highlighted the exceptional quality and innovation of South African Wines. In a challenging market, where per capita consumption and wine prices are on the decline, this prestigious competition plays a crucial role in elevating South African wines on both the local and world stages.
The Significance of the Trophy Wine Show
Awards presented by the Trophy Wine Show can be life-changing for South African wineries. With domestic sales under pressure and fragile export markets, a medal from this competition signals quality to wine buyers. A gold medal, of which fewer than 20 are awarded, is similar to hitting the jackpot. In 2023, over R2 million worth of award-winning wines were sold within days through the designated retailer, Port2Port, highlighting the impact of the Trophy Wine Show on wine sales.
Investec's Commitment to the Wine Industry
Investec, the headline sponsor of the 2024 Trophy Wine Show, is committed to supporting South Africa’s exceptional wine industry. Itumeleng Merafe, Investec’s Head of Private Banking, expressed pride in partnering with clients and creating unique experiences. This includes providing clients with first access to curated cases of award-winning wines, masterclasses, and public tastings.
Judging Excellence for this year’s Awarded Wines
One of the key factors that make the Trophy Wine Show so respected is the quality of its judging panels. International judges and Masters of Wine, such as Lisa Perrotti-Brown from Napa USA, Fongyee Walker from China, and Claire Blackler from London UK, bring a wealth of expertise and a global perspective.
This year’s South African panel comprised Narina Cloete, Heidi Duminy CWM, Eben February, Gynore Hendricks, Mandla Patson Mathonsi, James Pietersen and François Rautenbach.
The associate judges, all graduates of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy, were Clare Anderson, Kyle Davids, Lauren Segers, Matthew Draper and Kenny Nassen. They are provided with the opportunity of working in a rigorous show-judging environment and learning from the international and local tasters to whom they are seconded. Associate judges work in the tasting room with the main panel and are invited to participate in the discussion, however their scores are not included in the final tally.
Trophy Wine Show judging panel 2024
640 wines were judged at the 2024 Trophy Wine Show. 286 won a bronze medal, 125 silver and 32 won gold. There were 19 trophy winning wines shared between 15 producers. This year for the first time a wine entered in the organic wine category won a gold medal, and thus secured the first ever Organic Wine Trophy.
Insights from International Judges
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW (USA): “I can see a dramatic upward shift in quality – in winemaking (more sensitive use of oak, and extraction, with finesse) and also in the viticulture.”
Fongyee Walker MW (China): “In China, they feel shiraz is a world-class grape…I think there’s a great opportunity for South Africa to push its shiraz in China, given that people respect the variety, and know and love it.”
Claire Blackler MW (UK): “I particularly liked the unwooded sauvignon blancs. I loved the purity, the brightness and the freshness of the samples we tasted.”
The 2024 Trophy Wine Show once again underscores the exceptional talent and innovation within the South African wine industry. As these awards demonstrate, Cape wines continue to impress both locally and globally, offering outstanding value and quality.
Driving Innovation and Sustainability
The Trophy Wine Show is not just about celebrating current excellence but also about driving innovation. The competition has led the charge in reducing unnecessary packaging weight to lessen the industry’s carbon footprint. Since 2023, every bottle entered for judging is weighed, revealing an astonishing variance of 200%.
Award-Winning Wines of 2024
Congratulations to the following Trophy Wine Award winners for 2024.
Trophy Award-Winning Wines
KWV: Best Producer
Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2022
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2022
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Bosman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2022
Zevenwacht Z Reserve Collection 2021
KWV The Mentors Canvas 2020
Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs NV
JC Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Wooded)
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015 (Unwooded)
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Promenade Pinotage 2022
Thor Lara Semillon 2023
Bloemendal Semillon 2017
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2022
Bloemendal Kanonberg 2018
Schenkfontein Stofjas 2021
Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2021
For a complete list of winners, including silver and bronze medallists, visit the Trophy Wine Show website.
Public Tastings showcasing the trophy, gold and silver medal winners are happening in Sandton on 12 June and in Cape Town on 19 June. Tickets at webtickets.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Wine regards,
Leanne
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