Time for winemakers to submit the rising stars of the 2016 harvest

Entries for the annual SA Young Wine Show is officially open and close on 22 June at the regional wine show associations and on 07 July at the South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA).

Close to 2 000 wines battle it out for the top accolades annually. The show organiser, SANWSA, once again anticipates a fierce contest for the coveted Genl Smuts and Pietman Hugo trophies. The General Smuts trophy is the competition’s highest acclaim and goes to the overall champion, while the Pietman Hugo trophy is awarded to the cellar with the highest score for five different wines.

Challenging weather conditions in 2016 led to a slightly reduced wine grape crop for South African producers, but grapes were healthy and smaller berries led to concentrated flavours and colours promising good wines, says VinPro in its 2016 harvest report.

A total of 17 SA Champion trophies are also at stake for Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, SĂ©millon, Other White Cultivars, Dry White Blends, Off-dry White Wines and Noble Late Harvest. In the classes for red wines trophies are awarded for the best Pinotage, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Other Red Cultivars and Dry Red Blends. Judges will also be looking for the most outstanding Port, Dessert Wine and Muscadel.

Specialist panels of seven qualified wine judges per panel will put the youngsters through their paces at the Nederburg Auction Complex from 25 to 29 July. As part of the development programme for judges young aspirant judges are added to serve as an eighth judge. The winners will be revealed at an awards dinner in Cape Town, sponsored by Agri-Expo, on 19 August.

The SA Young Wine Show, the oldest wine show in the world, has been granting wine makers the opportunity to benchmark different wines, experimental styles and new varieties against those of their peers since 1833.

The 2016 SA Young Wine Show catalogue and entry forms are available at www.youngwineshow.co.za or send an email to [email protected].