Tsogo Sun, South Africa’s leading hotel, gaming and entertainment group, will from this year join international cork supplier Amorim as sponsor of the wine industry’s leading competition for Cap Classique wines. Amorim has been sponsoring the Cap Classique Challenge since 2002, and from this year Tsogo Sun has stepped in to add lustre to this premier competition which will now be known as the Amorim Tsogo Sun Cap Classique Challenge.

Says Joaquim Sa, MD of Amorim Sa: “South Africa’s premier Cap Classique showcase has entered a new phase with the joint sponsorship of Tsogo Sun. Where Amorim is a leader in natural cork products to the wine industry, Tsogo Sun’s reputation for fine wine and culinary excellence will further enhance the image of the Cap Classique category. Together with Cap Classique producers, Amorim looks forward to the partnership with Tsogo Sun in what has now become a premier wine competition.”

“Tsogo Sun is a proud supporter of the South African wine industry and is thrilled to be associated with this long standing and unique competition focusing on the dynamic Cap Classique wine category”, says Miguel Chan, Tsogo Sun Group Sommelier. “We strive to offer our guests an excellent selection of wines and sparkling wines on all our menus. This partnership is a example of our commitment to providing an exceptional food & beverage experience across our restaurants, bars and lounges in South Africa”.

Entries are now open for the 2013 Challenge which will be judged in 5 categories: Blanc de Blanc, Rosé, Blend, Museum Class (prior to 2008 vintage) and an innovation category for boutique makers of a maximum of 1000 bottles. Méthode Cap Classique producers have until Wednesday, 24 July, to submit their wine entries.

The judging will take place on Thursday, 25 July, at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel. The judging panel consists of some of South Africa’s most experienced tasters and best Cap Classique ambassadors: Neil Pendock (South Africa’s leading independent drinks commentator) Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright (Cape Wine Master and editor of WineStyle Magazine), Cathy Marston (freelance judge and wine writer for local and international publications including Cape Times, Food24.com and Wine Spectator) and Georgio Meletiou (Senior Assistant F&B Manager and Sommelier at Southern Sun The Cullinan). They will be joined by world authority on sparkling wine, Jaume Gramona. Gramona is a lecturer at the Faculty of Oenology in Bordeaux and Universitat Rovira I Virgili. He is also a prestigious cava producer in Spain. The judging panel will sit under the convenorship of Allan Mullins, Cape Wine Master, Woolworths Wine Selector and arguably South Africa’s leading MCC expert.

“Since its inception, the Cap Classique Challenge has been about promoting excellence in the MCC category, one of the South African wine industries’ showpieces,” says Pieter Ferreira, Chairman of the MCC Association and Graham Beck Wines Cellarmaster. “Not only is the MCC Challenge a showcase for the excellent qualilty of MCC produced in South Africa, but it also has the effect of increasing an awareness of this category among the local and international consumer.”

This year’s winners will be announced at a luncheon awards ceremony at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday, 17 September.

Entries close on Wednesday, 24 July.
Judging will take place on Thursday, 25 July, at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel.
Winners will be announced at The Southern Sun The Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town on Tuesday, 17 September.

For further details, please contact Miguel Chan on [email protected]