Top image: Juandré Bruwer, Thys Louw and Mari Branders

Durbanville wine estate Diemersdal staked a place as one of the most successful producers in the annual Absa Top 10 Pinotage Trophy awards by this year raking in its seventh trophy. The Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2017 was selected as one of the Top 10 Trophy winners out of 161 wines submitted for judging in this year’s competition held for the 22nd time.

Top image: Miguel Chan

In modern-day speak, the expression “go-to” succinctly sums up what you are trying to communicate. In South Africa there are a handful of individuals who warrant the prefix of go-to when describing their reputation and status in the diverse and expansive wine industry.

The De Wetshof Estate in Robertson might be best known for Chardonnay, but its interpretation of the red Burgundian variety Pinot Noir is growing in stature. The De Wetshof Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2017 was crowned National Pinot Noir Champion in this year’s Novare Terroir Awards, a competition committed to awarding wines showing focussed expressions of terroir and site.

In a move set to increase the commercial footprint of wines and spirits entered into its competition, the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards has confirmed that it has been appointed by the South African Airways as supplier of its on-board wines and spirits for 2019.

Org de Rac’s Die Waghuis 2016 took top honours at the recent Signature Red Blend Report compiled by leading South African digital magazine Winemag scoring 93pts, one of four wines to achieve this rating in the 2018 competition.

Top image: Lorraine Immelman, CEO of the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards with Darno van Dyk, National Wine Buyer for Checkers.

One of Southern Africa’s leading drinks competitions, the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards, has entered into a partnership with Checkers which will give consumers greater access to the competition’s award-winning wines and spirits.

What sets aside the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards from all the other drinks competitions in southern Africa is the fact that the judging panels are made up of international wine and spirits experts from up to 22 countries. Since its inception 22 years ago, this has been cited as the primary reason for its growth and popularity among wine and spirits producers – both in South Africa and abroad.

Top image: Frank Meaker, cellar master at Org de Rac

The wine industry can expect the demand for wines free from animal-based products to increase as veganism becomes one of the fastest-growing consumer trends globally. Org de Rac, the organic wine farm in the Swartland, has eschewed all animal products such as certain fining agents that have been part of the traditional wine-making process, and along with its organic status is experiencing an increase in demand due to its vegan-friendly wines.

Top image: Johann de Wet and Danie de Wet.

Johann de Wet from De Wetshof Estate was recently named the Agri Western Cape and Santam Young Farmer of the Year. Samantha van den Berg reports for Die Burger newspaper where she is agriculture editor.

Top image: Johann de Wet

The honour is as great and enjoyable as a well-matured Chardonnay from the Robertson region.