Following a record 291 entries for the tenth Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards, wines of origin in Worcester’s Nuy Ward, Robertson, Durbanville, Elgin, Wellington and the Breedekloof stood out this year with more than one national winner, while Nuy Wine Cellar and Bon Courage Estate walked off with all the trophies.
(Top image: Philip Viljoen and Jacques Bruwer of Bon Courage Estate entered a National Winner, two of the Top 5)
The SA Terroir Wine Awards were founded ten years ago to acknowledge wines which truly represent a specific wine terroir. Only wines certified as wines of origin single vineyard, estate-produced, wards or small districts not divided into wards, may take part. This makes it one of the most exclusive wine competitions in the world and boasts a relatively high number of entries.
The once-off Novare Trophy for the Top 10 Year Achievement Award was awarded to Bon Courage Estate in Robertson, after this estate produced eleven National Winners since the first competition with Shiraz wines, Cabernet Sauvignon wines, fortified and natural sweet wines, sparkling wines and Colombar. Bon Courage also won the Novare Trophy for the Top SA Terroir Wine Estate after entering two of the Top 5 estate wines, one National Winner and three area winners this year.
Nuy Wine Cellar in Worcester also stood out prominently this year with the sought-after Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Producer after the cellar produced three National Winners for Chardonnay, Chenin blanc and Muscadel. The first ever SA Terroir Top Producer Trophy was awarded to Jordan estate last year. Two of these National Winner wines were among the highest number of wine entries received (Chenin blanc and Chardonnay), while the highest average point of all entries went to the Nuy White Muscadel, ensuring that the Nuy Ward also received the Novare Trophy for SA Terroir Top Wine Area.
Charl Myburgh and Christo Pienaar of Nuy Wine Cellar with the Novare Trophy for the Top Terroir Producer and the Novare Trophy for the Top Wine Area that was awarded to the Nuy ward. Nuy Wine Cellar this year entered three National Winners.
The other wine producers boasting more than one National Winner are Bergsig Estate (white blend and port), Bloemendal (Sauvignon blanc and Malbec), La Cave (sparkling wine and Pinotage) and Vrede & Lust (Semillon and Riesling.)
The National Winners of the 2015 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards are Nuy Mastery Chardonnay 2014, Nuy Inspiration Chenin Blanc 2015, Nuy White Muscadel 2007, De Wetshof Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2010, Groot Constantia Merlot 2013, Bergsig Icarus 2014 (white blend), Bergsig Cape LBV 2006 (Port), Lynx Viognier 2014, Tierhoek Grenache 2013, Bloemendal Suider Terras Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Bloemendal Malbec 2013, La Cave MCC 2011 (sparkling wine), La Cave Pinotage 2012, Vrede en Lust Artisan Semillon 2014, Vrede en Lust Casey’s Ridge Riesling 2015, Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2015, Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2014, Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2011, Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2012 (red blend), Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rosé 2015, Nelson Estate Shiraz 2012, Kranskop Tannat 2013 and De Krans Tinta Roriz 2013.
South Africa’s Top 5 Estate Wines were also selected again, based on the five estate wines which received the highest average points. With the exception of one off-dry white wine, dessert wines dominated. The 2015 Novare SA Terroir Top 5 Estate Wines are Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2015, Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2012, Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2014, Bon Courage White Muscadel 2014 and Bergsig Cape LBV 2006.
“It is very good viticultural news to see how many top quality wines came from the same cultivar in different wine terroirs in the Cape winelands over the past ten years,” says Marius Labuschagne, founder of the Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards. “Good examples include Chardonnay and Shiraz, among others. In both cases eight of the National Winners over the past ten years came from different wine terroirs. It is also notable that brand new cultivars were awarded for the first time this year, namely the Kranskop Tannat from Robertson, the Tierhoek Grenache from Piekenierskloof and De Krans Tinta Roriz from Calitzdorp.”
Several wine areas also stood out over the past ten years as prime terroir for certain cultivars. Cederberg Cellar entered the top Semillon for six years, is a wine of origin from Elim. The Durbanville Ward also provided the National Winner for Sauvignon blanc six times and Nuy Wine Cellar produced the National Winner for Muscadel six times. Neethlingshof Estate in Stellenbosch produced the national winner for Gewurztraminer four times and Wellington wine producers provided the National Winner for Malbec four times.
In addition to the National Winners and trophies, the best wines in the different areas are also designated. They are included in the full results which are available on the website www.terroirwineawards.co.za.
This year’s judges were Andrea Freeborough, Charl Theron, David Biggs, Duimpie Bayly, Karen Glanfield, Pierre Marais and Samarie Smith. They are all experienced wine tasters of many wines from different terroirs.
The sponsor Novare has been involved from day one and according to their CEO Johann Henn they are passionate about their participation.
“Novare’s business is about growing financial assets and the welfare of our clients. As the search for prosperity is part of our lives, so it is also part of wine producers’ road forward, from viticulture to the end product in the bottle. The highlight is the tasting experience and enjoyment of the wines. We are proud to celebrate the tenth year of the prestigious Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards which grow annually and contribute to what South Africa can offer regarding different wine terroirs in terms of quality and creativity. It is a paragon of how South Africa’s true wines of origin can compete with the best in the world,” says Johann.
“Novare shares this success at the highest level and we look forward to continuing our participation. Part of it will always be the sponsoring of bursaries to Agriculture students, as this forms part of our cooperative social investment programme.”
2015 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards National Winners
Top Chardonnay: Nuy Mastery Chardonnay 2014
Top Chenin blanc: Nuy Inspiration Chenin Blanc 2015
Top Fortified Sweet: Nuy White Muscadel 2007
Top Viognier: Lynx Viognier 2014
Top Grenache: Tierhoek Grenache 2013
Top Sauvignon blanc: Bloemendal Suider Terras Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Top Malbec: Bloemendal Malbec 2013
Top Sparkling Wine: La Cave MCC 2011
Top Pinotage: La Cave Pinotage 2012
Top White Blend: Bergsig Icarus 2014
Top Port: Bergsig Cape LBV 2006
Top Semillon: Vrede en Lust Artisan Semillon 2014
Top Riesling: Vrede en Lust Casey’s Ridge Riesling 2015
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Cederberg Five Generations Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Top Gewurztraminer: Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2015
Top Merlot: Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
Top Natural Sweet: Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2014
Top Pinot Noir: De Wetshof Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2010
Top Cabernet Franc: Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2011
Top Red Blend: Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2012
Top Rosé: Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rose 2015
Top Shiraz: Nelson Estate Shiraz 2012
Top Tannat: Kranskop Tannat 2013
Top Tinta Roriz: De Krans Tinta Roriz 2013
Top 5 Estate Wines
Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2015
Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2012
Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2014
Bon Courage White Muscadel 2014
Bergsig Cape LBV 2006
Novare Trophy for Top Wine Estate
Bon Courage
Novare Trophy for Top Terroir Producer
Nuy Wine Cellar
Novare Trophy for Top Wine Area
Nuy Ward
Novare Trophy for Top 10 Year Achievement Award
Bon Courage
Area winners
Robertson District and Swellendam District Terroir Awards
Top White Blend: Rietvallei Esteanne White 2014
Top Cabernet Sauvigon: Bon Courage Inkara Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Top Cabernet Franc: Rietvallei JMB Cabernet Franc 2011
Top Tannat: Kranskop Tannat 2013
Top Natural Sweeet: Bon Courage Noble Late Harvest 2014
Top Pinot Noir: De Wetshof Nature in Concert Pinot Noir 2010
Top Dessert Wine: Bon Courage Wit Muscadel 2014
Breedekloof District Terroir Awards
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Slanghoek Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Top Pinotage: Flagstone Writers Block Pinotage 2013
Top White Blend: Bergsig Icarus 2014
Top Dessert Wine: Slanghoek Red Muscadel 2015
Top Port: Bergsig Cape LBV 2006
Top Natural Sweet: Slanghoek Private Selection Crème de Chenin 2014
Worcester District Terroir Awards
Top Chardonnay: Nuy Mastery Chardonnay 2014
Top Chenin blanc: Nuy Inspiration Chenin Blanc 2015
Top Fortified Sweet: Nuy Wit Muscadel 2007
Klein Karoo Region, Swartberg and Prins Albert Wards Terroir Awards
Top Touriga Nacional: De Krans Touriga Nacional 2014
Top Port: De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2012
Top Tinta Roriz: De Krans Tinta Roriz 2013
Constantia Ward, Houtbaai Ward and Cape Point District Terroir Awards
Top Merlot: Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
Top Shiraz: Groot Constantia Shiraz 2013
Top Cabernet Sauvigon: Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Top Natural Sweet: Groot Constantia Grand Constance 2012
Durbanville Ward and Philadelphia Ward Terroir Awards
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Bloemendal Suider Terras Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Top Malbec: Bloemendal Malbec 2013
Top White Blend: Bloemendal Kanonberg 2014
Top Red Blend: Diemersdal Private Collection 2013
Paarl District Terroir Awards (including Paarl Wards)
Top Cabernet Franc: Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2010
Top Chardonnay: Anura Chardonnay Limited Release 2014
Top Red Blend: Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2012
Top Shiraz: Nelson Estate Shiraz 2012
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012
Simonsberg-Paarl Ward Terroir Awards
Top Shiraz: Mitre’s Edge Shiraz 2012
Top Red Blend: Mitre’s Edge Sholto 2012
Top Chardonnay: Anura Chardonnay Limited Release 2014
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012
Wellington District and Voor-Paardeberg Ward Terroir Awards
Top Semillon: Hildenbrand Single Vineyard Semillon 2013
Top Cabernet Franc: Lisha Nelson Cabernet Franc 2010
Top Shiraz: Nelson Estate Shiraz 2012
Top Chardonnay: Welbedacht Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011
Top Red Blend: The Old School Master 2012
Top Sparkling Wine: La Cave MCC 2011
Top Pinotage: La Cave Pinotage 2012
Top Cabernet Sauvignon: Welbedacht Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Franschhoek Valley District
Top Rosé: Allée Bleue Starlette Shiraz Rose 2015
Top Viognier: Lynx Viognier 2014
Stellenbosch District Terroir Awards (including Stellenbosch wards)
Top Chenin Blanc: Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2014
Top Rosé: Rustenberg Petit Verdot Rosé 2015
Top Malbec: Neethlingshof Malbec 2013
Top Sauvignon Blanc: Spier Woolworths Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Top White Blend: Jordan Chameleon 2014
Top Gewurztraminer: Neethlingshof Gewurztraminer 2015
Top Red Blend: Jordan Chameleon 2012
Top Merlot: Jordan Merlot 2012
Top Chardonnay: Lanzerac Chardonnay 2013
Top Cabernet Franc: Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2013
Top Shiraz: Rainbow’s End Shiraz 2013
Top Pinotage: Kaapzicht Pinotage 2012
Top Natural Sweet: Lourensford Winemakers Selection Noble Late Harvest 2012
Jonkershoek Ward and Banghoek Ward Terroir Awards
Top Chardonnay: Lanzerac Chardonnay 2013
Top Merlot: Rainbow’s End Merlot 2014
Top Cabernet Franc: Rainbow’s End Cabernet Franc 2013
Top Shiraz: Rainbow’s End Shiraz 2013
