THE ORGANISERS of the UK’s International Wine Challenge (IWC) have named their 2019 trophy winners, chosen from the gold medal-winning wines. The awards followed two weeks of judging, involving thousands of entries from 49 countries and over 400 wine experts serving on the various panels. Each medal-winning wine was blind-tasted on at least three separate occasions by at least 12 different judges including Masters of Wine.

Of the highlights, New Zealand shone brightest in the Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc categories, Italy was crowned Rosé champion and Burgundy triumphed again in the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir classes. South Africa brought home 13 gold medals overall, with the majority presented for white wines. Moreover, all four of the trophies awarded to South African producers were for white wines, with Constantia Glen earning two trophies for the farm’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc – not quite ‘the best in the world’ but clearly one of the finest. In addition, South Africa brought home 93 silver and 144 bronze medals to finish eighth in the national league table.

Sarah Abbot MW, IWC Co-Chair, commented that: “It’s exciting to see the diversity and complexity of top South African whites. Chenin is the distinctive hero of South Africa, with top wines combining richness and verve. The intense but elegant Sauvignon Blancs are world-class and show that South Africa has a unique take on one of the world’s most popular varietal wines.”

TROPHY WINNERS

Bon Courage Jacques Bruére Brut Reserve 2011 (Robertson)
SA Sparkling Wine Trophy

Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2018
SA Sauvignon Blanc Trophy and SA White Wine Trophy

Lothian Chardonnay 2017 (Elgin)
Regional Chardonnay Trophy

Paul Cluver Noble Late Harvest 2017 (Elgin)
SA Sweet Wine Trophy

ALSO GOLD MEDALLISTS

Diemersdal MM Louw Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Durbanville Cellar, Cape Town

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Stellenbosch Cellar

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc 2018
Stellenbosch Cellar

KWV Mentors Chenin Blanc 2017
Paarl Cellar

Namysto Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2017
Quoin Rock Cellar, Stellenbosch

Saronsberg Shiraz 2017
Tulbagh Cellar

Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2017
Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2017
Helshoogte Cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Uva Mira Chardonnay 2016
Stellenbosch Cellar