The winners of the 8th SA Terroir Awards were announced last week at a stylish ceremony held at Anura Estate in Paarl. Sponsored by Africa’s investment management pioneers Novare, the awards pay honour to the country’s top wines based on the region in which they’re cultivated.
The Robertson wine district dominated this year, with two wines in the selected SA Terroir Top 5 Estate Wines as well as five National Winners from all submissions.
Bon Courage Estate in Robertson claimed two spots in the Top 5 Estate Wines category for its Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé 2007 and The Inkara Cabernet Sauvignon 2011. Both wines were also awarded as National Winners for the Top Cabernet Sauvignon and the Top Sparkling Wine. The estate also won the Top Dessert Wine in the Robertson district with the White Muscadel 2012. In so doing, the Bruwer family clinched the third annual Novare Trophy for the SA Terroir Top Wine Estate.
Kranskop Wines, from the Klaasvoogds ward in Robertson also snagged two National Winners for the Top Viognier and Top Natural Sweet Wine, with their Kranskop Viognier 2012 and Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2011.
De Wetshof Estate, situated in the Goudmyn area bordering Klaasvoogds, clinched the National Winner for the Top Chardonnay, with the De Wetshof Bateleur 2009.
These medal wins ensured that the 4th Novare Trophy for the SA Terroir Top Wine Area went to neighbouring Robertson wards of Klaasvoogds and Goudmyn.
The Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area was awarded to the Klaasvoogds and Goudmyn wine terrains in the Robertson District. From left are Newald Marais (Kranskop), André Bruwer (Bon Courage), Peter de Wet (De Wetshof) and Jacques Bruwer (Bon Courage).
Overall Results
Top 5 Wine Estate Wine:
- Diemersdal Eight Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2013 from Durbanville,
- Morgenster 2010 red blend from Stellenbosch
- Nelson Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 from Paarl
- Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé 2007
- Bon Courage The Inkara Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
National Winners
- Top Sparkling Wine: Jacques Bruére Brut Rosé 2007
- Top Sauvignon Blanc: Cederberg Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from Elim
- Top Semillon: Cederberg Ghost Corner Semillon 2011 from Elim
- Top Chenin Blanc: Wildekrans Chenin Blanc Barrel Selection Reserve 2011
- Top Chardonnay: De Wetshof Bateleur 2009
- Top White Blend: Hermanuspietersfontein Die Bartho 2011
- Top Viognier: Kranskop Viognier 2012
- Top Red Blend: Nelson Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2008
- Top Malbec: Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Malbec 2010
- Top Shiraz: Cederberg Shiraz 2010
- Top Cabernet Sauvignon: The Inkara Cabernet Sauvignon 2011.
- Top Pinotage: Anura Pinotage Reserve 2010
- Top Port: Bergsig Cape Late Bottle Vintage 2003
- Top Dessert Wine: Nuy White Muscadel 2005
- Top Natural Sweet Wine: Kranskop Viognier Noble Late Harvest 2011
The Novare South African Terroir Wine Awards is the brainchild of Marius Labuschagne, renowned wine writer and marketeer from Durbanville.
The 2013 judges were Dave Hughes, David Biggs, Guy Webber, Irina von Holdt, Karen Glanfield, Neil Ellis and Pierre Marais. The technical co-ordinator was Charl Theron. The results of the competition were monitored by Henk Olivier, Novare’s financial manager, who is also a chartered accountant.
