FRANCE and Australia were the most successful nations at the 2021 International Wine Challenge in London, one of the biggest competitions of its kind – thousands of entries from over 50 countries, with numerous panels judging over a couple of weeks. South Africa secured 13 gold medals, compared to France's 77 and Australia's 49, and Elgin cellar Paul Cluver was among the most successful participants from the Cape with four golds going their way, one of which was later escalated to a trophy.
IWC judge Sam Caporn MW commented on South Africa's “startlingly stylish” wines from Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc especially. “Great fruit purity, integrated oak and impressive lengths.” Paul Cluver's Seven Flags 2018 was the country's top-scoring Chardonnay in the competition, however Stellenrust Wine Estate won the SA White Trophy with their 2020 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2020, and Lothian Vineyards won the SA Red Trophy with their 2020 Pinot Noir – a wine likely to only be readily available in 2022, given that the 2019 vintage had yet to be released at the time of writing.
For all of South Africa's IWC stars, see below. Surprisingly, not a single Cabernet or Shiraz or Pinotage among them, and no doubt there were producers who felt hard done by on being issued with one or more of the 57 silvers and 136 bronzes awarded to Cape wineries. For the full results and more about the Challenge, click here.
SA TROPHY LAUREATES
Constantia Glen Two 2019 (White Blend)
R290pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Lothian Pinot Noir 2020
R295pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2018
R850pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2020
R234pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
SA GOLD MEDALLISTS
Bouchard Finlayson Crocodile's Lair Chardonnay 2019
R186pb ex-cellar, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Ghost Corner Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R220pb from Cederberg Private Cellar
Mentors Chenin Blanc 2019
R150pb from KWV cellar, Paarl
Old Road Grand-mére Semillon 2017
R303pb ex-producer, Franschhoek
Paul Cluver Estate Pinot Noir 2018
R300pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2020
R375pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Elgin
Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay 2020
R125pb ex-cellar, Elgin
Richard's Elgin Chardonnay 2020
Export label from Kershaw Wines, Elgin
Vergelegen Reserve Semillon 2018
R325pb ex-cellar, Somerset West
• All of the above were scored 95 points on the 100-point scale used at the International Wine Challenge.
