The results of the first RisCura White Hot Wine Awards were announced at Landtscap, situated at Devonvale, on Sunday. Out of the 41 wines submitted by 30 different producers, the top three are Celestina 2012, Steenberg Magna Carta 2011 and Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2011.

The chilly Cape weather had no impact on the stylish affair and guests were treated to a gourmet luncheon, prepared by renowned chef Franck Dangereux. This French chef’s roots might lay at the Foodbarn in Noordhoek, but his heavenly cuisine did not fail to impress the guests. The 5 course menu were paired with the country’s top three Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends and complemented the wines magnificently.

The Atlantic oyster, scallop ”petals” seaweed gel, aquatic mesclun, salmon caviar and grapefruit oil dish was paired with the Celestina 2012.

The competition was open to all producers in the country, conditions of participation being that wines submitted had to be current release or soon to be released and were specifically labelled as blends (no wines labelled as “Sauvignon Blanc” but containing a fraction of Semillon were permitted).

The judging panel was chaired by well-known wine connoisseur Christian Eedes, Roland Peens of Wine Cellar (a Cape Town firm that brokers and cellars fine wines) and James Pietersen, beverage manager for local restaurants Balducci’s and Belthazar. Judging was done blind using the 20-point/Five Star system and PKF were the tasting auditors.

“Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blends are fairly new in South Africa and we were very pleased with the quantity and quality of submissions,” says Albrecht Gantz of RisCura. “While those in the know may already love these blends, arguably they have not attracted the popular following they deserve. The RisCura White Hot wine awards, which will be held annually, aims to remedy that.”